Connection procedure
The DSO shall connect anyone who requires a connection against a tariff, determined by the ACM, the Dutch Regulatory Authority. In order to get connected to the grid, both consumers and producers must first apply to the grid operator. The grid operator, then, is obliged to make a connection offer (art. 24 (1) Electricity Act). Once the agreement is concluded between the grid operator and the applicant, the actual connection will be prepared. Plants shall be connected within a reasonable period of time (art. 23 (3) Electricity Act), which for smaller connections (up to 10 MW) and connections for RE power plants should be less than 18 weeks.
(art. 23 (1) of the Electricity Act 1998).
Rules concerning the connection of a new producer to the grid
Plants shall be connected within a reasonable period of time (art. 23 (3) Electricity Act), which for smaller connections (up to 10 MW) and connections for RE power plants should be less than 18 weeks. (art. 23 (1) of the Electricity Act 1998).
Rules for connecting RES and storage to the grid
A non-discrimination rule applies to both the connection and the setting up of a connection agreement (art. 23 (2) and art. 24 (3) Electricity Act). Renewable energy plants are not given priority other than the obligation that the reasonable period to actually realise the connection should not exceed 18 months for RE power plants.
Specifications for islands, isolated grids, microgrids, local grids, etc.
No specific connection rules are formulated for specific situations.
Exceptions
Since 2019, no exceptions have been in place. From 2014 until 2018, the Experiments Electricity Act—Decree allowed for exemptions from certain provisions in the electricity law, including the exemption allowing energy communities to own and operate their own grid. This, however, resulted in only eleven so-called ‘project grids.’
Possibilities to differentiate RES in scale and technology
Differentiation in scale and technology only occurs in the case of overruling of municipal zoning plans, where overruling by the ministry is possible for national climate policies.