Faster reinforcement of low-voltage grids requires improved collaboration

The growing uptake of technologies such as heat pumps, electric vehicles and rooftop solar is significantly increasing the pressure on low-voltage grids. The reinforcement task for these grids entails more work than grid operators can currently keep up with, including installing cables and constructing substations. At the same time, progress in practice is lagging behind the pace required.

Identifying bottlenecks

TNO investigated where the reinforcement of low-voltage grids encounters obstacles. The study is based on 13 interviews and a workshop with three regional grid operators, municipalities, the Taskforce Electricity and the Association of Provinces (IPO). As such, the findings are not representative of bottlenecks in all municipalities.

The exploration provides an initial overview of issues in the preparation phase of low-voltage grid reinforcement. It explicitly does not constitute a prioritisation or quantitative assessment of these bottlenecks.

Different interests, shared challenge

Delays rarely have a single cause; they typically arise from a combination of procedural, spatial and legal factors. An important underlying pattern is that both parties approach the challenge from different roles and interests.

Grid operators primarily focus on speed, standardisation and reliability of the electricity system, whereas municipalities are responsible for broader spatial planning and societal considerations. As a result, expectations regarding pace and approach may differ.

Five recurring themes

Discussions with stakeholders consistently highlighted the same topics:

• Process and organisation
• Site selection
• Land acquisition
• Practices regarding not in use electricity cables
• Customisation in distribution substations (medium- to low-voltage transformer stations)

These themes were not selected because they represent the most important or most urgent bottlenecks. Rather, they were chosen because they are frequently mentioned in practice and clearly illustrate the differing perspectives and interests of municipalities and grid operators. These differences can lead to additional coordination efforts, uncertainty and delays in project preparation and execution.

Directions for accelerating progress

The proposed directions for improvement primarily focus on better alignment, clearer agreements and joint decision-making. For example, by:

• structurally organising collaboration with dedicated points of contact and shared planning
• aligning technical and spatial choices earlier in the process and in a more integrated way
• developing more consistent (national) frameworks for topics such as land acquisition and practices regarding not in use electricity cables.
• improving communication, both between parties and towards residents

Some of these approaches build on existing practices, such as the current neighbourhood-based approaches. Further elaboration in practice is still required.

The key opportunity lies in preparation

Part of the delay often arises well before actual construction begins. Important decisions on locations, planning and collaboration are already made during the preparatory phase. This is where there is clear potential for acceleration, particularly by organising processes and coordination between municipalities and grid operators earlier and more effectively.

This report and exploration provides an initial basis for further improving collaboration and enabling faster reinforcement of low-voltage grids.