Metaalunie Calls for Urgent Solutions to Dutch Energy Congestion Crisis
The Hague, Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
The Koninklijke Metaalunie urges immediate action to resolve energy transport capacity issues hindering the Dutch manufacturing sector’s green transition, impacting 180,000 jobs and 35 billion euros in revenue.
The Impact of Energy Congestion on Dutch Manufacturing
The Koninklijke Metaalunie, representing nearly 16,000 members in the manufacturing sector, has voiced significant concerns over the energy transport capacity crisis in the Netherlands. This issue not only affects the sector’s ability to generate a combined revenue of 35 billion euros but also threatens the jobs of 180,000 skilled workers. The manufacturing companies, involved in producing components for sustainable technologies such as heat pumps, wind turbines, and CO2 storage systems, face severe limitations due to inadequate electricity transport capacity. This limitation hinders further electrification and expansion efforts crucial for transitioning towards fossil-free production processes [1].
Sectoral Approach to Alleviating Net Congestion
In response to these challenges, Metaalunie, together with the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and network administrators, launched the Sector Approach for Net Congestion in the SME Manufacturing Industry earlier this year. This initiative aims to optimize the use of existing net capacity through the Flex-e scheme, which includes scans, feasibility studies, and tangible measures to identify potential flexibility in electricity consumption. Despite its potential benefits, access to the Flex-e scheme remains limited, prompting Metaalunie to call for broader accessibility to include companies with smaller connections and those with multiple or combined connections [1].
Proposals to Enhance Electricity Grid Utilization
Metaalunie proposes several additional measures to enhance the electricity grid’s efficiency. These proposals include critically reviewing the safety margins on the grid, allowing certified subcontractors to perform specific tasks, decoupling grid investments from nitrogen regulations, and better facilitating regional initiatives on industrial estates. These suggestions are part of a broader call for a pragmatic and entrepreneurial approach where government, network administrators, and entrepreneurs collaborate to implement immediate, effective solutions [1].
The Broader Context of Energy Congestion in the Netherlands
The issue of energy congestion is not confined to the manufacturing sector alone but extends to housing and infrastructure development across the Netherlands. The increasing demand for electricity, exacerbated by the country’s green energy ambitions, has led to significant congestion in the power grid. This situation has been acknowledged as a critical barrier to economic growth and sustainability efforts by various stakeholders, including provinces and city officials, who have expressed concerns about the impact on housing construction and other vital sectors [3][4].