Step 1 – What is the challenge? 

The Netherlands faces a major societal challenge. Demand for electricity is growing faster than the capacity of the existing electricity grid. 

 

This is creating bottlenecks for: 

• housing construction; 

• economic development; 

• making businesses more sustainable; 

• the energy transition; 

• the electrification of transport. 

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To enable these developments, the electricity grid must be expanded through: 

• new high-voltage connections; 

• transformer stations; 

• cable routes; 

• energy hubs; 

• smart grid solutions. 

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Step 2 – What is the aim of community engagement? 

The aim of community engagement is not only to achieve the necessary grid expansion, but above all to foster sufficient understanding, trust and cooperation to enable timely decision-making and implementation. 

 

In practical terms, this means: 

• identifying interests at an early stage; 

• reducing public resistance; 

• capitalising on opportunities for cooperation; 

• supporting administrative decision-making; 

• preventing or limiting legal proceedings; 

• reaching widely supported solutions. 

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Step 3 – Which issues do you identify? 

Various societal issues arise from the challenge. 

 

Issue 1: New high-voltage connections 

New connections are necessary to increase capacity. 

 

Issue 2: Space required for transformer stations 

New stations require scarce space. 

 

Issue 3: Lead times for planning permission procedures 

Planning permission and appeal procedures cause delays. 

 

Issue 4: Impact on nature reserves 

New infrastructure affects natural heritage. 

 

Issue 5: Capacity shortfall for housing 

Housing developments cannot be connected to the grid. 

 

Issue 6: Capacity shortfall for businesses 

Businesses cannot expand or become more sustainable. 

 

Issue 7: Changes to the landscape 

New energy infrastructure affects the landscape. 

 

Issue 8: Allocation of scarce grid capacity 

Not everyone can be connected at the same time. 

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Step 4 – Which interests are affected? 

Issue 1 – New high-voltage connections 

Interests:

• Reliable energy supply 

• Quality of life 

• Health 

• Landscape quality 

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Why? Society needs a sufficient supply of electricity, whilst local residents wish to maintain their quality of life. 

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Issue 2 – Transformer stations 

Interests: 

• Spatial quality 

• Housing 

• Economic development 

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Why? The available space must be allocated across various societal functions. 

 

Issue 3 – Planning permission procedures 

Interests:

• Careful decision-making 

• Legal protection 

• Speed of implementation 

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Why? Public authorities wish to act with due care, whilst the energy transition demands speed. 

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Issue 4 – Nature reserves 

Interests:

• Biodiversity 

• Climate targets 

• Spatial development 

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Why? Protecting nature can conflict with the need for new energy infrastructure. 

 

Issue 5 – Housing 

Interests:

• Availability of housing 

• Affordability 

• Economic growth 

Why? Without grid capacity, homes cannot be built or connected to the grid. 

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Issue 6 – Business capacity 

Interests:

• Competitiveness 

• Employment 

• Sustainability 

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Why? Businesses need electricity to grow and become more sustainable. 

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Issue 7 – Landscape 

Interests:

• Spatial quality 

• Cultural heritage 

• Recreation 

Why? Infrastructure can change the way an area is experienced. 

 

Issue 8 – Capacity allocation 

Interests:

• Equal treatment 

• Economic development 

• Societal priorities 

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Why? Scarcity requires choices to be made about who gets access to capacity first. 

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Step 5 – Which stakeholders are involved? 

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