Only in 2026 will space be available again on parts of the West Frisian power grid: what are the consequences?

It’s a clear message from grid operator Liander: In large parts of West Friesland, the power grid is full. A problem that will not be solved tomorrow. This has consequences. Mainly for business, but maybe also for housing schemes.

First, the good news: current capacity is still guaranteed. Everyone still has access to electricity, and generating electricity through solar panels and wind turbines is not a problem either.

The bad news is that it has immediate consequences for places where the grid gets full. It concerns five municipalities: Enkhuizen, Stede Broec, Hoorn, Medemblik and Drechterland. If you look at the map below (the yellow dots show where the network is full), you can see that Medemblik and Drechterland are severely affected by capacity issues.

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Network problems for a long time

The largest distribution station in Zwaagdijk-East. Capacity problems were already reported there in 2019. The report then still points to 2024 as the year by which the problems should be resolved. Liander now reports that it will be the year 2026.

Parent company Alleander spokesperson, Peter Hofland explains: “At that time it was just about the cables. Now it’s about the entire distribution station. So maybe the issues with the cables have been resolved, but if the distribution station itself isn’t ready yet, there’s no point.” .

The spokesperson talks about the huge operation that Leander represents. “We’re asking for multiples of the past. And the only solution is to expand the network. That takes time. It’s annoying for people who end up in the queue, but we’re now in a period of transition.”

Repercussions for companies

The problems mainly concern the medium voltage companies. “So there is no place in the areas mentioned above to connect new companies to the electricity grid. We also have to say ‘no’ to companies that want to expand and need additional energy.”

According to Hovland, it is not something that the residents themselves immediately suffer from. “This is not possible if you want a charging station in your home and a heavier connection is needed for that. But you can still install the solar panels. The problem is the electricity supply, not the generation.”

Although it is possible for the solar panels to be turned off if the sun is shining too much. NH News reported last year Already around places where the power grid can not handle large peaks on sunny days, as a result of which the security temporarily turns off the generation of electricity.

residential building

Housing plans don’t seem to get bogged down at first, either. “We’ve kept power for all the projects we know about. But for the new housing plans we can’t rule out the possibility that energy can’t be saved at the moment.”

NH Nieuws asked the five affected municipalities about concrete results for them, and how they are dealing with it. Only Horne replied so far. “We will determine as soon as possible what this means within the Horn and West Friesland region. And what can be done to prevent or reduce unwanted restrictions,” spokeswoman Marieke van Leeuwen said.

Working until 2030

Liander is working on a plan to protect West Friesland’s power grid in the future. This begins with the processing of the distribution station in Zwaagdijk-Oost. It should be completed by 2026.

In addition, five smaller stations will be added. For this purpose, sites near Abbekerk, Avenhorn, Hoorn (ice rink environment), Venhuizen and Andijk are considered. This could take up to 2030, because it takes about 5 to 8 years to build a new plant.