Growing pressure on the electricity grid is now affecting households too

Demand for electricity is growing faster than the grid can be expanded; Stedin is therefore focusing on both grid expansion and smarter use of existing capacity.

Rotterdam, 23 July 2026 – Congestion on the electricity grid is affecting a growing number of households and businesses. For the first time, households in Stedin’s service area may be placed on a waiting list for a new or higher-capacity electricity connection. A temporary pause on connections is now in place in parts of Utrecht to keep the electricity grid safe and reliable. Since 1 July, grid operators have been using a single waiting list for low-volume and high-volume consumers, with scarce capacity allocated in accordance with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets’ societal prioritisation framework.
 
The electrification of homes, industry, transport and public services requires more capacity than is currently available in many areas. This has created a new reality in which not every application can be approved immediately. Trudy Onland, CEO of Stedin: “The pause on connections needed in parts of Utrecht has far-reaching consequences for households and businesses planning a new or higher-capacity electricity connection. The limitations of the electricity grid are becoming increasingly visible across society. That is why we must continue to accelerate grid expansion while also making smarter use of the capacity already available. We are seeing this approach deliver results in more and more places. Businesses are exploring ways to move forward while waiting for a connection; municipalities are working with us to find new possibilities; and residents are using their electric vehicles not only for transport but also as batteries to meet their energy needs. Existing connections often have more capacity than people realise. That, for me, is an important part of the solution for the years ahead.”

Flexibility frees up capacity

Thanks to new agreements with businesses that can adjust their electricity consumption to match available grid capacity, flexible capacity increased by 88 megawatts to 367 megawatts. One example is the partnership with We Drive Solar in Utrecht, where electric cars not only charge but can also temporarily feed electricity back into the grid. Flexibility also freed up additional capacity in Zeeland. Through collaboration between businesses, TenneT and Stedin, 173 companies were removed from the waiting list and allocated transmission capacity. These examples show that capacity can be freed up when high-volume consumers use electricity at times when the grid is under less strain. Our website provides an up-to-date overview of the waiting list.
 

Expansion of the electricity grid

In addition to its focus on flexibility, Stedin continues to expand the electricity grid. In the first six months of 2026, Stedin installed 308 new transformer stations, 21% more than in the same period last year. Construction also began on new distribution substations, including in Zoetermeer, Delft and Alblasserdam. The expansion of high-voltage substations has made 107 megavolt-amperes of additional capacity available. This is enough to supply electricity to more than 30,000 new-build homes. The amount of capacity delivered is lower than last year because the planned commissioning of three substations in the first half of the year was delayed. As a result, this additional capacity will become available later this year.

Financial results for the first half of the year

In the first half of 2026, Stedin invested €710 million (2025: €610 million) to expand and strengthen the energy grid. Operating profit for the first half of the year amounted to €239 million (2025: €249 million). Profit after tax stood at €148 million (2025: €159 million). A significant portion of the profit is being reinvested in the energy grid. As a result of these high investment levels, free cash flow remains negative. To finance these investments, Stedin raised €500 million this year through a green perpetual subordinated bond and a further €500 million through a green senior bond. In addition, it held discussions with its shareholders on future financing.