Noord-Holland Tackles Energy Grid Crisis with Smart Business Hubs
Noord-Holland, Friday, 23 January 2026.
Noord-Holland’s largest provincial economy faces a critical energy bottleneck threatening business expansion, prompting ROM InWest to champion Smart Energy Hubs as an innovative solution. These collaborative systems allow companies to share and optimize energy consumption, creating additional grid capacity without costly infrastructure upgrades. With 21 active hubs currently supported and financial backing planned through 2026, the initiative addresses both immediate economic growth constraints and long-term sustainability goals, potentially revolutionizing how businesses access energy in congested markets.
Provincial Leadership Drives Energy Innovation
ROM InWest, the regional development company for Noord-Holland, has positioned itself at the forefront of addressing the province’s energy grid constraints through Smart Energy Hubs [1]. Paul Hauptmeijer, the designated coordinator for Smart Energy Hubs at ROM InWest, emphasized the complexity of the initiative, stating that as of January 22, 2026, there are 21 Smart Energy Hubs in Noord-Holland actively supported by provincial coordinators [1]. The development represents a strategic response to Noord-Holland’s status as the province with the largest economy, which demands substantial energy resources from both entrepreneurs and the energy network [1].
Collaborative Framework Creates Grid Capacity
The Smart Energy Hubs operate on a principle of coordinated energy consumption among companies within business parks, fundamentally improving energy grid utilization [1]. Most of these hubs currently exist in exploratory or planning phases, with participating businesses forming cooperatives and establishing Group Transport Agreements (GTO) with grid operators [1]. This collaborative approach enables large energy consumers to reduce their peak demand, thereby creating available capacity on the grid for other businesses, according to Hauptmeijer [1]. The mechanism strengthens Noord-Holland’s business climate for start-ups, scale-ups, and innovative small-to-medium enterprises by providing them access to previously constrained energy resources [1].
Financial Support and Implementation Timeline
ROM InWest has committed to providing financial support for energy cooperatives during their early development stages, including potential subsidies [1]. The organization plans to launch a subsidy scan for 2026 that will provide cooperatives with a solid financial foundation for implementation [1]. Additionally, ROM InWest is prepared to serve as an investor when investments in assets or shares become necessary [1]. However, the GTO framework remains in developmental stages and will only be offered in pilot form through the end of 2026 [1]. This timeline reflects the complex nature of the project, which Hauptmeijer noted requires customized solutions and comprehensive guidance for each participating business park [1].
Real-World Application and Broader Energy Benefits
Baanstee Noord, a business park in Purmerend near the A7 highway, exemplifies the practical application of Smart Energy Hubs, where entrepreneurs have demonstrated readiness to collaborate on energy optimization [1]. However, implementation at this location has faced delays due to postponed construction of a new electricity station, which has pushed back the pilot-GTO program [1]. Beyond electricity management, Smart Energy Hubs offer opportunities for heat sharing through thermal networks, potentially impacting 70 to 80 percent of total energy consumption [1]. This comprehensive approach to energy optimization aligns with broader industry trends, as smart grid technologies increasingly coordinate consumption, generation, and storage to manage constraints at individual sites while integrating electric vehicle charging, heating, and industrial processes [4].