Limited network capacity casts shadow on solar energy growth

Solar batteries background
Solar batteries background

The Dutch might have been some of the world’s best green energy farmers, with their ubiquitous windmills.

But they are having more problems rolling out solar energy cultivation, according to media reports on Friday.

The Volkskrant claims that network managers Enexis and TenneT cannot agree to take energy from any more farmers, companies or corporations in parts of Groningen and Drenthe who want to install panels – because there apparently isn’t enough capacity in the system.

New solar farms in certain areas, where solar farming provides more than enough energy, will also not be connected to the national network.

According to the Volkskrant, supply of the panels in 2017 and 2018 has somewhat outstripped the demand.

‘The capacity of the energy network is a bottleneck for transition to green energy,’ Siward Zomer, director of eco-friendly energy organisation ODE Decentraal reportedly told the paper.

Netbeheer Nederland association said that the problem is most acute in parts of Groningen, Drenthe and Overijssel.

Jeroen Brouwers, spokesman for TenneT, reportedly told the Telegraaf that the problem was ‘the result of the current subsidy policy’, adding that the panels ‘are mostly possible, but just not all in the same space’.

Expanding the network capacity to increase the capacity for solar energy – and help fulfil the Netherland’s obligations to combat climate change – is expected to take years and cost millions.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation