Many households apply for unnecessarily large electricity connections
Research and new grid rules show that decarbonisation often requires no upgrade, while waiting lists grow.
Many households apply for a higher-capacity connection even though this is not always necessary for electric cooking, a heat pump or charging at home. At the same time, tens of thousands of households and new-build homes are waiting for capacity on the electricity grid.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy says many households can avoid costs and waiting times by keeping their existing connection. At the ministry’s request, research was conducted into how many electrical appliances are used simultaneously and when a connection genuinely needs to be upgraded.
According to the government, many homes can cook electrically, charge an electric car and use a heat pump without switching to a higher-capacity connection. The main bottleneck is often not the maximum connection capacity, but the moment when several appliances demand a lot of electricity at the same time. Planning usage more intelligently can then free up capacity.
The issue is unfolding against the backdrop of new rules for the overloaded electricity grid. Since 1 July, households and small businesses in congestion areas can also be placed on a waiting list for a new or higher-capacity connection. Projects with social priority, such as homes, schools and emergency services, are given precedence.
Grid operator Enexis reports that approximately 60,000 applications from households and small businesses were received before 1 July. In addition, more than 140,000 new-build homes are covered by the transitional arrangement; according to Enexis, no immediate capacity was yet available for more than 85,000 of them.
The consequences vary greatly by region. In some areas, reserved capacity will become partially available from October, but this initial release is mainly intended for applications with social priority. Enexis expects eligible customers to be notified by the end of November at the latest.
An upgrade can involve higher fixed grid charges as well as installation costs. The government therefore advises having an accredited installer first assess whether the existing connection is sufficient. At the same time, the grid operator stresses that expanding cables and transformer stations remains necessary: more efficient use alone will not solve grid congestion.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Many households do not always need a higher-capacity connection for electrical appliances.
- Since July 2026, new prioritisation rules have applied to new and higher-capacity connections.
- In some regions, available capacity is almost fully utilised.
Left
Arguments Scarce grid capacity should go first and foremost to homes, schools and public services. Households must not become dependent on expensive individual solutions or on their ability to apply for a connection early.
Values Equal access, affordability and public oversight.
Consequences More government investment and social prioritisation may mean delays for businesses, but they prevent decarbonisation from becoming chiefly accessible to households with greater financial means.
Centre
Arguments A combination of grid expansion, clear priority rules and smarter use of existing connections is the most practical approach. Decisions should be made region by region, based on demonstrable capacity.
Values Reliability, efficiency and predictable rules.
Consequences This approach requires patience and good communication, but prevents both arbitrariness and overinvestment.
Right
Arguments Rules and priority lists must not prevent citizens and businesses from investing themselves. Faster permits, less bureaucracy and market incentives can accelerate grid expansion and flexibility.
Values Property, freedom of choice and economic scope.
Consequences More room for individual applications can stimulate innovation, but may also mean that public services have to wait longer.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central argument is supported by official information from the ministry, Enexis and Netbeheer Nederland. Regional differences and the future release of capacity are explicitly described as uncertain or dependent on further research.
- confirmed Many households can decarbonise without a higher-capacity electricity connection. — This is stated in the research and the Dutch government’s explanation. source
- confirmed Since 1 July 2026, small connections in congestion areas can be placed on a waiting list. — Confirmed by Enexis and Netbeheer Nederland. source
- confirmed Enexis received approximately 60,000 applications from households and small businesses and registered more than 140,000 new-build homes under the transitional arrangement. — Figures from Enexis’s September 2026 report. source
Editor's note
The figures and the new prioritisation rules have been confirmed by the government and the grid operator. The precise waiting time continues to vary by region.Sources
- Elektrisch koken, auto laden en elektrische warmtepomp meestal mogelijk zonder zwaardere aansluiting — Rijksoverheid
- Meer aanvragen voor nieuwe of zwaardere aansluitingen — Enexis Netbeheer
- Zo werkt het: stoppen met reserveren van capaciteit voor kleinverbruikers — Netbeheer Nederland
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „stroomnet netcongestie”
- NOS — „stroomnet netcongestie”
- Het Parool — „stroomnet netcongestie”