A combination of mismanagement and outdated policies has led to a grid disaster in the Netherlands. The government has clung to the old-fashioned model of monopolized energy generation and delivery; a model they continued to apply to wind and solar farms—most of which are owned by the large oil and gas companies. Despite government attempts to discourage them, Dutch residents have continued installing solar panels on their rooftops. Today, these residents are even penalized by energy companies with high fees for being connected to the grid. (Note: the Dutch government has recently expressed intentions to stop these penalties under certain if-conditions.)
The government's denial of the potential success of decentralized, residential solar systems combined with a lack of vision caused the semi-governmental grid management companies to ignore and delay critical upgrades to the grid. Over a decade passed with little progress. Instead, they focused on connecting large, taxpayer-funded solar and wind farms. A question arises: why should taxpayers foot the bill for grid connections of investor-owned (often foreign) solar farms, which are essentially profit vehicles?
It seems the top management of these grid companies failed to anticipate the current crisis. The situation has spiraled so far out of control that new grid connections have been halted in many regions for years already. As a result, no new residential or commercial buildings can be constructed or opened, as there is no capacity to connect them to the electricity grid. Some developers are still proceeding with projects, but astonishingly, plan these new high-rises to rely on diesel generators (high-rises!) for several years until the grid issues are resolved.
Meanwhile, Dutch taxpayers are paying an average of €364 annually per household for grid delivery services which should include maintenance and upgrades, but starting 2025, they will face an additional €1,741 per household in taxes for grid upgrades. [Link in comments]
As the Dutch saying goes: This is toe-curling!
link to original article:https://www.netbeheernederland.nl/artikelen/nieuws/netbeheerders-investeren-vanaf-2025-jaarlijks-eu8mld-energie-infrastructuur
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