Blog Horticulturists Also Deserve Discount on Transport Costs
Photo credit : Dirk Hol ©️
TenneT grants substantial discounts on transport costs to parties that can absorb peaks in electricity consumption on the high-voltage grid. However, entrepreneurs who have this flexibility but are not connected to the TenneT grid do not benefit. Marc Vergroesen, Managing Director of Energy Pool Netherlands, considers this unfair.
The Netherlands is switching to green electricity at lightning speed. In 2000, more than 95 per cent of the country’s total electricity consumption came from fossil fuels. By 2025, this will be less than 50 per cent. These are encouraging figures, but it could—and should—have gone better.
Currently, around 20,000 businesses are waiting for a suitable grid connection, with major negative consequences for the economy. In addition, transport costs for entrepreneurs are rising rapidly due to investments in new networks.
The step taken by TenneT is an important one for Dutch business. It should be applied immediately to all entrepreneurs who can make additional grid capacity available at the right times—the so-called congestion relievers.
“Horticulturists can use their installations not only for their own production but also as a virtual battery to support the grid”, says Marc Vergroesen, Managing Director of Energy Pool Netherlands
TenneT's initiative is significant for Dutch businesses. It should immediately apply to all entrepreneurs who can free up grid capacity during critical moments—so-called "congestion reducers."
However, TenneT’s discount only applies to large consumers connected to the high-voltage grid. Horticulturists—typically connected to low- or medium-voltage networks—are excluded.
Currently, only infrastructure players are rewarded, even though other entrepreneurs, such as horticulturists, can also act flexibly. They can adjust their consumption to support the grid, contributing to both grid stability and the energy transition.
No financial recognition
In some regions—such as Utrecht—companies are already required to participate in congestion management. But financial recognition, such as a discount on transport costs, is lacking. The government still does not consider their contribution as equivalent.It is understandable that the government regards battery projects as infrastructure. These projects are specifically developed for one purpose: balancing the grid. Greenhouse entrepreneurs, by contrast, have a different primary purpose: their core business operations. That makes it tempting to view them primarily as “consumers”. But such thinking does not reflect reality.
Greenhouse growers and owners use their installations flexibly and align their consumption with the electricity grid. In this way, they help to keep the energy system stable—just like battery developers. The big difference? One receives financial recognition as a grid supporter, the other does not.
Now that so many entrepreneurs and households are eager to switch to green electricity, the government must look beyond simple regulation. We need policy that ensures everyone who contributes to grid stability is rewarded, regardless of the type of grid connection.
A fair reward proportional to the contribution to grid balance would make the system more transparent and stimulate smarter use of existing installations. After all, making clever use of what is already there is faster, cheaper, and more sustainable than building new infrastructure. That benefits the climate, the economy, and the taxpayer.
Source : Nieuwe Oogst