Enexis is working to make the energy grid more flexible to optimise grid capacity and transmit as much electricity as possible. We are doing this by deploying smart, digital technologies that better align supply and demand. In addition, we are developing products that enable customers to share unused capacity and encourage them to make surplus capacity available to support others.
Putting more strain on our assets
Enexis increases transmission capacity by using grid components as efficiently as possible, without compromising the safety of our employees and customers or taking irresponsible risks with the reliability of the electricity supply. We make optimal use of reserve capacity within the grid, for example by temporarily operating double-rail and duplex medium-voltage installations at more than 100% capacity and by deploying reserve transformers. Together with other grid operators, and through the Ksandr knowledge platform, we are exploring how assets can be used more intensively in a responsible manner.
Critical power grids
During very cold days this winter, the electricity grid in parts of Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, North Brabant, and Limburg came under pressure during peak hours. In autumn, we announced that additional measures would be implemented in at least 22 locations to prevent grid overload. While these measures proved sufficient to manage the expected peak demand this winter, we cannot guarantee that this will remain the case under all circumstances. In extreme situations, Enexis may be forced to temporarily shut down parts of the electricity grid as a precautionary measure. To reduce this risk, we have called on businesses and households to limit electricity use on cold days between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., for example by spreading consumption more evenly throughout the day. We have also developed a dedicated toolkit for local authorities, providing resources to inform residents and businesses and to encourage grid-aware behaviour. By spring 2025, we will have implemented measures to relieve pressure on critical parts of the grid and mitigate associated risks.
Detailed insight for dynamic grid management
To make optimal use of our grids and offer flexible solutions to customers, we need detailed insight into both the grid itself and future electricity demand. This is why Enexis is investing in the automated calculation and analysis of the electricity grids.
We are moving from manual, static calculations to automated, dynamic insights. To support this transition, we are using data from more than 30,000 transformer stations that have already been digitalised. This marks an important step towards truly dynamic system management.
Since 2025, we have been able to extract much more detailed information from the grid, enabling us to identify congestion at a finer granularity. In 2025, this enabled us to identify high-voltage congestion in Groningen and to declare congestion in the medium-voltage transmission network, creating scope to connect additional customers. It also allows us to take preventive measures earlier within the medium-voltage transmission network.
More efficient use of the electricity grid
To make the most effective use of available grid capacity, we are developing solutions that encourage customers to become more aware of how they use their contracted capacity. This is how we do it:
‘Use it on time or lose it’ pilot
We proactively engage customers who are not fully utilising their contracted capacity. In 2024, the ACM published the ‘Use it or lose it’ (Gebruik Op Tijd Of Raak Kwijt, GOTORK) code decision. Building on this, we launched a pilot in 2025 in which we engaged with 14 customers to explore how unused capacity in the grid could be deployed more effectively. In doing so, we assessed the balance between unused capacity and the likelihood that customers would need it in the short term. Ultimately, the contracted capacity of six customers was reduced, freeing up more than 26,000 kW of capacity.
Future-proof tariff system
Together with Netbeheer Nederland, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the ACM, and Energie Nederland, we developed a draft decision for a time-dependent low-voltage grid tariff. This tariff consists of four levels based on different measurement intervals. It encourages customers to spread their electricity consumption more evenly over time, helping to reduce peak demand and creating additional capacity for new homes and charging infrastructure, for example.
The new tariff system also leads to a fairer allocation of costs. Customers who draw more power from the grid during peak periods will pay more. In other words, different behaviour warrants a different cost.
A time-dependent grid tariff will also be introduced for high-volume consumers. This will promote more efficient use of the grid and form the basis for future products aimed at freeing up additional capacity. The new tariff system is scheduled to come into effect in 2027.
Optimising capacity for greater flexibility
When congestion occurs, we maximise available grid capacity in order to connect as many customers as possible. This approach is known as congestion management. It involves asking large business customers to temporarily adjust their electricity consumption or feed-in when the grid is at risk of becoming overloaded. We enter into contractual agreements with these customers, under which they agree to reduce consumption or feed-in on request or during peak periods. In return, they receive financial compensation. If sufficient congestion management capacity is contracted, we can prevent congestion and connect customers from the waiting list.
To date, voluntary participation has delivered limited flexible capacity. As a result, mandatory congestion management is now required in an increasing number of areas. An obligation currently applies in 18 areas affected by feed-in congestion. In 2025, an obligation was also introduced for the first time in five areas experiencing demand congestion. While the contracted control capacity has played an important role in preventing overload, it has not been sufficient to resolve congestion at all substations or to process the more than 10,000 customer applications on our waiting list. Together with our stakeholders, we are therefore exploring additional solutions to provide all customers on waiting lists with access to energy.
Stronger cooperation with CSPs
In 2024, Enexis concluded its first flexibility contract with a congestion service provider (CSP). A CSP acts as an intermediary between large business customers and grid operators to help prevent grid congestion. These contracts include pricing agreements for calling on flexibility, allowing assets to be contracted more quickly and efficiently. This marked the first step towards the large-scale deployment of flexibility for congestion management. In 2025, Enexis entered into more than 45 flexibility contracts, directly or indirectly, with CSPs. Several framework agreements are also in the pipeline.
Grid-aware charging
We are increasingly focusing on grid-aware charging, which means charging electric vehicles at times that are more favourable for the grid. This helps to reduce peak loads and make better use of available capacity. Together with our partners, we are rolling out grid-aware charging at public charging stations. As of November 2025, 66% of public charging stations in our service area have been equipped for grid-aware charging.
We are also exploring options for grid-aware charging at private charging points at customers’ homes and encouraging customers to avoid charging during peak periods. The government campaign promoting reduced electricity consumption between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. supports this effort.
Together, these measures aim to increase controllable capacity and encourage flexible, grid-aware behaviour among customers.
Releasing capacity and social prioritisation
When capacity becomes available, we allocate it in accordance with the order of the waiting list. In doing so, we take into account the ACM's social prioritisation framework. In March 2025, however, the court overturned the 2024 code decision underpinning this framework. In response, the ACM published a revised code decision in December. Under the new framework, three prioritisation categories apply in situations of scarcity.
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Category 1: Congestion relievers – parties that provide flexibility, thereby creating additional capacity on the electricity grid for other customers
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Category 2: Security – electricity infrastructure, healthcare, developers and providers of highly sensitive technologies, public drinking water supply, secure telecommunications networks, security services, safety for air traffic, railways, waterways and roads, and water management
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Category 3: Basic needs – waste management, gas infrastructure, education, public transport, telecommunications, heat supply, and housing needs
Low-volume consumers will also be placed on the waiting list in congestion areas where a waiting list already exists for high-volume consumers.