Grid operator Liander has sent an urgent letter to municipalities in northern South Holland, warning that the regional electricity grid has reached its maximum capacity.
The warning, issued on May 30, 2026, cites the rapid adoption of solar panels, charging stations, and heat pumps as key factors.
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The power infrastructure in the Duin- en Bollenstreek, Leiden, and Alphen aan den Rijn regions requires significant expansion to accommodate new housing developments and growing businesses.
To resolve the bottleneck, Liander must expand or relocate electricity stations at approximately 30 different locations across the affected areas.
Land and Coordination Challenges
Finding suitable land for new electricity stations is a major challenge for local governments.
A single new station requires roughly 3,000 square meters of space, equivalent to half a football field.
Since this land is also highly sought after for housing, Liander has asked municipalities to prioritize energy infrastructure in spatial planning.
Regional manager Wienand van Dijk acknowledged the friction between sustainability achievements and grid limitations. "Het gaat aan de ene kant best goed met de verduurzaming," he said.
Van Dijk explained that electricity demand is rising faster than the network can handle, creating a critical bottleneck in transport capacity.
To improve coordination across fragmented underground cabling and spatial planning policies, Liander proposed that each municipality appoint a dedicated energy alderman.
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"Omdat energieprojecten raken aan ondergrondse kabels, bovengrondse inpassing en ruimtelijke ordening, kan het beleid nu weleens versnipperd raken.
Eén coördinerend bestuurder kan zorgen voor meer overzicht en efficiëntie," Van Dijk added.
Liander also urged municipalities to plan ahead for future energy needs and encourage behavioral changes.
Grid scarcity peaks significantly between 17:00 and 21:00, making shifts in electricity consumption vital.
"De grootste schaarste op het net concentreert zich tussen 17.00 en 21.00 uur.
De netbeheerder wil overheden, bedrijven en inwoners stimuleren om stroomverbruik naar de daluren te verplaatsen," Van Dijk said.
Building a new electricity station currently takes an average of seven years from planning to completion due to strict technical requirements, land acquisition procedures, and local objection processes.
The grid congestion already impacts the economy, with hundreds of companies on a waiting list for new or expanded connections.
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Private individuals may also face waiting lists starting July 1.
