'Electricity grid in part of Vlissingen port area full'

The regional electricity grid in Vlissingen-Oost is reaching maximum capacity in part of the port area. Network operator Stedin is therefore announcing congestion for this area to the Authority Consumer and Market (ACM) and starting an investigation into congestion management. This means that it is no longer possible for large companies to make a new request for the purchase of electricity or an extension of the existing connection. Applications for electricity feed-in are still possible.

Regional director Martin Martens: "In 2022, Stedin more than tripled the capacity of this station from 40 MW to 150 MW, due to the growing demand for electricity. More and more companies want to establish themselves in the port and make their business processes more sustainable. As a result, the power grid needs to be expanded again. Market demand is outpacing the pace at which Stedin can expand the grid. The new expansion at the Vlissingen-Oost distribution station consists of an additional 150 MW transformer and an additional switching installation. In addition, Stedin is investigating with TenneT whether an expansion of the existing 150 kV grid capacity is necessary. Stedin's work is expected to be completed in 2029."

Congestion management study

Since July 19, 2023, this area has already experienced congestion for the purchase of electricity on the national high-voltage grid of national grid operator TenneT. The study on congestion management by TenneT is ongoing and the results are expected to be ready in June. Thanks to this study, both TenneT and Stedin will have more insight into the power demand of companies on the waiting list and thus the future demand for transmission capacity in the Vlissingen-Oost port area. If TenneT's congestion management study were to show that space has been found for certain parts of Zeeland, this would not apply to customers in Vlissingen-Oost Ports 9350-9990. Because there is also congestion on Stedin's regional grid.

Flexible energy use opportunities

In the congestion management study, Stedin is investigating whether the regional grid can be better utilized through the flexible management of energy consumption by the companies in this part of the port. At the end of 2024, Stedin expects the results of this study. Stedin calls on companies in this area to offer flexibility, for a fee, at: stedin.net/flexibelvermogen.