Grid Congestion
Your connection is full. Your business doesn't have to stop.
The Dutch electricity grid is suffering from structural congestion. Waiting lists for new connections run until 2036 and beyond, but your business doesn't have to wait.
Prevent a production shutdown?
Keep critical processes running with a battery-backed flex setup that absorbs grid limits.
Waiting for a grid connection while the building is already ready?
Bridge the waiting list with an on-site energy system so you can operate from day one.
Solar panels not reaching their potential?
Store and shift your own generation to use every kWh, even when feed-in is curtailed.
The grid is full, and it affects your business
The electricity grid in the Netherlands is under pressure. Due to the growth of solar panels, data centres, charging infrastructure and industry, the grid is overloaded in many places. Grid operators cannot expand fast enough. Waiting lists for new or heavier connections run until 2036 and beyond. In response, grid operators offer flex contracts: companies that agree to temporary limitations on their consumption get faster or more capacity, but must invest in their own energy systems.
Why a diesel generator is not the answer
Polluting
Generators emit nitrogen and CO₂, in conflict with sustainability targets and permit requirements.
Expensive to run
Fuel costs add up quickly with prolonged use.
Temporary fix
A generator does not solve the structural capacity problem and doesn't help with a flex contract.
There is a cleaner, smarter alternative.
Four ways to tackle grid congestion
Own generation: Solar panels
Generate your own power and reduce dependence on the grid. Less import = less risk of exceeding connection capacity. Ideal as a first step in a hybrid system.
Battery storage
Store generated solar energy or cheap off-peak power and use it at peak times. A battery system can also be deployed to keep operations running during a flex curtailment. Available as-a-service, for rent or to buy via Skoon.
Generator rental (clean alternative)
When bridging is truly necessary, Skoon offers clean, quiet generators as a temporary supplement, not a permanent solution. Suitable for construction projects or peak periods.
Flex contracts
A Congestion Steering Contract (CSC) or Capacity Limitation Contract (CBC) allows you to access more connection capacity in exchange for willingness to reduce consumption during peak hours. Skoon helps with the business case and connecting the right technology to the contract.
The four most important contract types explained
A connection where the grid operator may limit power during periods of high grid load. In return, businesses get higher capacity than normally available.
Congestion Steering Contract: a contract where a business voluntarily adjusts consumption on request from the grid operator, in return for priority or compensation.
Capacity Limitation Contract: power is automatically curtailed for a limited number of hours per year. Grants access to significantly more connection capacity.
Standard grid connection only available after years of waiting due to congestion. Not a solution for businesses that need capacity now.
More capacity with a CBC and a 'free' battery
The existing 400 kW connection became too tight. A standard upgrade via the grid operator would take years due to regional congestion, unacceptable for a distribution company that needs to keep supplying its stores reliably.
A CBC contract was agreed with the grid operator: Zeeman gains access to 1,200 kW of capacity, on the condition that the connection is automatically curtailed during the rare moments when the grid is heavily loaded. A 3,000 kWh battery system handles those moments without a production stop. The battery is delivered as-a-service: a CSP deploys it on energy markets when Zeeman doesn't need it. Those trading revenues co-finance the system, making the battery effectively free for Zeeman.
Via the Skoon Flex Procurement Platform we brought the right parties to the table: grid operator, battery supplier, CSP, installer and advisor. We also helped structure the tender so the entire chain could be contracted quickly and transparently.
Skoon brings everything together
Skoon delivers clean, modular energy systems: quickly deployable, flexible to rent or buy. Via the Skoon Flex Procurement Platform, grid operator, supplier, installer and advisor come together in one structured tender process.
Flex Scan
Low-threshold first analysis of your situation, including calculation of the business case and any subsidies.
Procurement
Receive quotes from verified suppliers through our platform.
Installation
Coordinated rollout with grid operator, installer and advisor.
Online
Monitor and optimise your flex assets in real time.
Flex-E: lower the business case threshold
Flex-E is a subsidy scheme from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), designed to make investments in flexible energy systems more financially attractive.
- Subsidy on the additional costs of a flexible storage or control asset compared to a conventional solution.
- Targeted at businesses in congestion areas, or businesses entering a CSC or CBC contract.
- Combinable with a Congestion Steering Contract or Congestion Mitigating Measure.
- Apply via RVO; application periods are published annually.
A business that rents or buys a battery system via Skoon as part of a flex connection solution may be eligible for Flex-E. Skoon's Flex Scan can calculate the business case including the subsidy.
Ready to turn grid congestion into a business case?
Receive quotes from multiple system suppliers or get in touch with our team directly.