“This measure leaves space on the electricity grid for households and small entrepreneurs,” Steden says. “Heat pumps can still be installed in homes, people can switch to electric cooking, and small-scale consumption connections can be made to newly built individual homes.”
As in many other parts of the Netherlands, the electricity grid in The Hague is approaching maximum capacity due to increasing demand for electricity. Steden said demand in The Hague is expected to rise by about 60 percent until 2030. “This pushes electricity demand beyond the limits of current infrastructure.”
The solution to the problem of grid capacity shortage is to expand and enhance the existing electricity grid. Steden and the director of the national network TenneT have begun working on this. Work is expected to continue until mid-2033.
“This long lead time is partly due to the scarce availability of space in the city and the required permits. TenneT and Stedin are in good discussions about this with the municipality of The Hague,” says the spokesperson. The investments required for this are estimated at approximately 100 million euros.
Stedin wants to conduct research with large consumers to better use the network. By better coordinating when large customers consume electricity, peaks in the electricity grid can be prevented.
