Network Congestion: What It Is and What Heerlen Is Doing About It
The power grid in the Netherlands is at capacity. We call this grid congestion. The cables can only carry a limited amount of electricity. If demand for electricity exceeds the grid’s capacity, traffic jams occur on the power grid.
This problem affects the entire country of the Netherlands, including Heerlen. You may notice it, for example, when applying for a new utility connection for a home or when businesses want to connect to the power grid.
Enexis is working hard to expand the power grid. This is a massive undertaking that will take years. That’s why we all need to use electricity more wisely.
Why is it so crowded?
We’re using more and more electricity. Think of electric cars, heat pumps, and solar panels. There are also more people living and working in the Netherlands than there used to be. And we’re switching from natural gas to electricity.
This transition is necessary for a more sustainable and healthier living environment. But it also puts pressure on the power grid. That’s because we often use electricity at the same time—for example, in the evening. The power grid isn’t keeping up with this growth everywhere at the same rate.
What's Happening in Heerlen: The Network Congestion Action Plan
In the 2026–2030 coalition agreement, the municipality agreed to develop an Action Plan for Grid Congestion. The goal: to prevent Heerlen from grinding to a halt because the power grid is overloaded. Our Action Plan includes initiatives such as energy hubs and storage, neighborhood batteries, and the local energy company BronsGroen, which the municipality is setting up in collaboration with the Heerlen Duurzaam Cooperative.
What does this mean for you?
Are you a resident?
For most households, nothing is changing at this time. If your current connection is sufficient, there are no restrictions yet. Want to save electricity? Check out the tips athttps://nieuweenergie.nl/
Do you have a housing or educational project scheduled for completion no later than 2036?
Municipalities have recently been allowed to apply for power capacity for these projects earlier, even if the plans are not yet fully finalized. This is part of the national “Early Application” procedure. You can read more about ithere.