100th preventive transformer replacement
In April, we celebrated a significant milestone in Harkstede, in the province of Groningen, by completing our 100th transformer replacement. Over the past year and a half, Enexis has been replacing as many obsolete transformers as possible as a preventive measure. These older transformers are particularly vulnerable to outages on sunny spring days. In April and May, this mainly arises when solar panels feed energy back into the grid, causing high currents that can blow the fuses. From June onwards, rising temperatures may lead to cooling problems, potentially increasing the risk of overheating in outdated transformers. New transformers solve this problem.
New transformer in Kelpen-Oler
We are expanding the capacity of our Kelpen-Oler station from 85 to 200 MVA. Instead of modifying the current live installation, we are building an entirely new station just outside the existing perimeter. This parallel construction is both faster and smarter. It allows us to accelerate every step, from installations to prefabricated buildings, and enables us to build up to nine stations simultaneously.
Major combined tender for North Brabant awarded
In April, we awarded a tender to contractors Baas, Hurkmans, BGM and APK/Rasenberg, together with Brabant Water. Over the next 12 years, these companies will be responsible for expanding, renewing and upgrading the region’s electricity grid and drinking water network. This mega project is worth € 900 million. Enexis deliberately chooses long-term strategic partnerships with contractors. This approach helps us to secure implementation capacity and encourage investment in craftsmanship.
Delays in Limburg and North Brabant
TenneT announced delays to several key grid expansion projects in these provinces this spring. Unfortunately, this will also affect our large business customers. As a result, they will have to wait several more years for a new or upgraded connection with transmission capacity. This applies to customers who consume electricity as well as those who feed electricity back into the grid. The additional waiting time varies per region. We have informed all affected customers.
Flexible cable solution cuts connection time in half
How can we significantly accelerate the connection of medium-voltage substations and reduce the workload for technicians? That is the question Stedin, Alliander and Enexis put to the market. Prysmian Netherlands developed the winning solution: a flexible cable with a prefabricated plug connection that allows technicians to insert and connect it easily, using minimal force. With this innovation, we can now connect a station in one day instead of two. It also requires fewer technicians, reduces physical strain and can be implemented without major modifications to existing stations.
Mandatory flexible capacity
On 17 June, Enexis introduced a new phase of congestion management across five regions in North Brabant and Overijssel. From now on, large electricity consumers are required to provide flexible capacity during peak times on the grid, in return for compensation. This will help prevent the grid from becoming overloaded. Previously, on cold winter days when demand exceeded grid capacity, we would switch off stations for a few hours as a preventive measure to avoid damage.
Collective Heat Supply Act passed
After years of preparation, the Collective Heat Supply Act (Wet collectieve warmte, Wcw) was passed in early July. This important milestone for the heat transition in the Netherlands is crucial for Enexis. Together with the Energy Act and the Municipal Instruments Heat Transition Act, the WcW is the foundation for building a future-proof energy system.
In collaboration with Energie Beheer Nederland, we are currently exploring the potential of regional district heating companies. In recent months, we have launched partnerships in Drenthe, Overijssel, North Brabant, Groningen and South Limburg. Our goal is to establish a joint district heating company. By joining forces and sharing expertise, we aim to reduce costs and achieve more stable heating prices.
Opportunities for grid-aware charging
Electric car owners are willing to charge their vehicles at home at different times, provided it is convenient and they are compensated. A pilot project conducted by Liander, Enexis and charging providers ANWB, Vattenfall and Eneco eMobility has confirmed this. The pilot revealed a substantial shift in charging sessions to times outside peak hours on the electricity grid. During these peak hours, which are in the afternoon and early evening, electricity consumption fell by an average of at least two-thirds.
...also at public charging stations
A large-scale pilot project involving grid-aware charging at public charging stations in North Brabant and Limburg also shows promise. Grid congestion around these stations decreased. So far, results suggest that at least half of the charging peak can be shifted to the evening and night, with only a limited impact on electric vehicle drivers. This frees up capacity that can be used by households and businesses. This pilot project is a collaboration between Enexis, charging station operator Vattenfall, and the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg.
Pilot with dimming solar panels
Together with the Zonnedimmer platform, we are conducting a pilot in which homeowners temporarily dim their solar panels in exchange for compensation. With their permission, we reduce solar output on very sunny days, when they use little electricity and feed a lot back into the grid. Homeowners receive 30 cents per kWh for this. The aim of this pilot is to gain experience with alleviating pressure on the grid during peak times.
Green bond issue
Enexis has issued its first dual-tranche green bond, totalling € 1 billion. This sum is divided evenly between two bonds, each worth € 500 million, with respective maturities of 8 and 12 years. As with previous green bond issues, there was strong interest from a wide range of sustainable investors. We are using the proceeds from the green bonds to invest in the energy transition. This brings the total value of bonds issued to € 4 billion. To mark this occasion, on 23 April, Enexis colleagues opened the trading day at Euronext Amsterdam.
Adjusted dividend policy
At the annual shareholders’ meeting, Enexis shareholders approved an adjusted dividend policy. From the 2025 financial year onwards, Enexis will distribute 50% of its net profit from ordinary activities, up to a maximum of € 100 million. Previously, there was no such cap. This amount is indexed annually. This adjustment gives Enexis the (financial) flexibility to invest optimally in the energy transition. The shareholders supported the proposal because they believe it is important for Enexis to retain sufficient funds to maintain and improve the energy grids.
New premises in Hoogeveen, Emmen and Hengelo
We have had not one, but two festive openings in the past six months. Enexis opened new branches in Emmen and Hengelo. We also announced plans to build a new distribution centre in Hoogeveen, as we need more space. Demand for cables, pipes and transformer stations for the energy grid is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. The new distribution centre will therefore be 2.5 times larger than the current one.