The power grid in the Netherlands is expanding too slowly to meet rising electricity demand, raising concerns among businesses and grid operators about potential congestion starting in 2026. ABN AMRO addresses these issues in its report, “Quid pro quo: What’s Causing Increasing Power Grid Congestion and How to Solve It.” The bank advocates for greater cooperation among companies and grid operators to relieve pressure on the grid. Recent legislative changes have created opportunities for this collaboration.
According to ABN AMRO, energy hubs—groups of power grid users negotiating capacity contracts together—can help companies access more capacity collectively, resulting in more efficient power use. Peter van Ees, an energy sector expert at ABN AMRO, emphasises the need for companies to engage with their neighbours and grid operators by 2025 to avoid surprises from congestion in 2026.
These collaborative approaches are vital for the energy transition, along with necessary grid investments, improved energy efficiency, and onsite generation. Recent regulatory changes by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) have increased flexibility in grid operations, and a new Energy Law set to take effect in April will further enhance opportunities for collective electricity purchasing.
ABN AMRO has been actively working with clients to achieve the 2030 climate goals and will host its second Decarbonisation Summit on February 5, alongside the ABN AMRO Open in Ahoy Rotterdam. The summit will explore challenges and solutions in electrification and energy efficiency, aiming to inspire clients to transition to sustainable operations.
