Summary
Site selection in the Netherlands can be done in several different ways. Provincial destination plans may consist of sites where these projects can be developed. If this is not the case, projects can be constructed everywhere in the Netherlands providing all conditions for the necessary permits are met.
Electricity production licenses do not exist in the Netherlands. Instead, energy suppliers must acquire an energy supplier permit. The difference then is that the burden of getting a permit lies on the energy supplier rather than the electricity producers.
Depending on the used technology, some projects may have to apply for All-In-One permits for Physical Aspects (omgevingsvergunning – environmental permit). This depends on the technology that is used. Rooftop PV is often exempt, where ground-mounted PV always requires a permit.
The connection to the grid depends on an agreement between the grid operator and the plant operator. The plant operator is contractually entitled to grid access and therefore the grid operator must offer them an agreement when they apply for one.
The corporate legal-fiscal processes depend on the technology that is used. In the case of onshore wind and ground mounted PV projects, the procedure is mainly dependent on the SDE++ application procedure. However, for residential rooftop PV, the available support is mainly through the net-metering scheme.
Netherlands plans to have at least 27%. of all energy supplied from sustainable sources by 2030. In 2050, the energy supply must be completely CO2 free. The most important growth targets are planned for offshore wind (from 1 GW in 2019 to 4.5 GW GW in 2023 and 11 GW by 2030), onshore wind and rooftop and ground-mounted PV installations (it is planned that together they will generate 35 TWh of renewable energy by 2030), which is why the description of permit and authorization processes will focus on these RES-E technologies.
Sequential order of process steps
1. Site selection process
2. Electricity production licence process
3. Administrative authorisation process
4. Grid connection permit process
5. Corporate legal-fiscal process
Competent authorities
- TSO / DSO
- Municipalities
- Ministry of Energy
