The Netherlands government has announced the allocation of €416.6 million ($439.5 million) to support the construction of utility-scale batteries linked to ground-mounted solar farms and large rooftop PV systems. These funds are part of the climate package released in the spring and are aimed at facilitating the deployment of 160 MW to 330 MW of battery storage capacity.

In addition to this initiative, grid operator TenneT has introduced a new contract designed to reduce grid transmission fees for battery operators and other flexible energy sources, potentially offering discounts of up to 65%. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will determine the updated fees by the coming spring.

The government explained that this contract simplifies the process of connecting batteries to the Dutch electricity grid. Battery operators utilizing this contract are expected to assist the grid operator in mitigating grid congestion, such as adjusting their charging or discharging schedules during times of high electricity demand.

Research commissioned by TenneT suggests that the reduced grid fees could stimulate the addition of 2 GW to 5 GW of new battery capacity by 2030. This development comes in response to the growing need to address grid limitations as the Netherlands plans to deploy a substantial amount of solar capacity in the coming years.

To address grid bottlenecks, various measures have been implemented, including the installation of two large transformers and congestion management. TenneT has also launched an interactive online map highlighting congested grid areas across the country.

With a cumulative installed PV capacity of 16.5 GW as of June 2022, the Netherlands continues to expand its solar energy infrastructure, with significant capacity additions in recent years.

Source: pv-magazine.com