Grid expansion
To be able to transmit all the electricity generated by these new power plants, TenneT is carrying out a large-scale expansion programme.
Increased transport capacity in the Netherlands
The number of electricity producers connected to the Dutch grid has grown significantly since 2006. The boom was initiated by the Dutch greenhouse industry, which deployed over 2,000 MW in new small-scale combined heat and power (CPH) plants in the period to 2010. Several large power plants were also constructed in recent years, increasing the installed production capacity by more than 10,000 MW in 2014 (a rise of over 40%). This is more than enough to meet Dutch domestic demand and exports until far beyond 2020. It is therefore unlikely conventional production capacity will be expanded any more in the next five to 10 years.
To be able to transmit all the electricity generated by these new power plants, TenneT is carrying out a large-scale expansion programme. This mainly involves constructing new 380 kV connections in the Randstad area (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague) and in the north and southwest of the country.
Transition to renewable energy
To enable the transition to renewable energy, in line with Dutch government sustainability targets, TenneT has started preparations to build an offshore high voltage grid (3.500 MW) along the Dutch coast, facilitating the connection between offshore wind farms to the onshore high voltage grid. This is likely to be finished by 2023.
Modernisation of the existing grid
To ensure that the extra-high voltage grid operates safely around the clock and every second, the existing grid network must be modernised and regularly maintained. For example, old lightning protection cables are replaced with new ones with integrated optical fibers. In order not to jeopardize the security of supply during the work, this is often done during operation. TenneT is also making an important contribution to the success of the energy transition with the modernisation of its existing grid network.
Veranderingen op de energiemarkt
Daarnaast ontwikkelen wij ons transportnet in lijn met de veranderingen op de energiemarkt. Wij maken het mogelijk om energie die is opgewekt uit decentrale wind-, zonne- en overige energie-installaties op het net in te voeden. Om stroomuitval tegen te gaan waarderen wij oude verbindingen op, leggen we nieuwe aan en bouwen we nieuwe hoogspanningsstations.
Door middel van uitbreidingen, moderniseringen en voortdurend onderhoud ontwikkelen we een infrastructuur die klaar is voor toekomstige taken.