The Netherlands is now rationing electricity as its grid buckles under the pressure of electrification – and the UK could be next, warns Aggreko.
More than 11,900 businesses, homes and public buildings are stuck in a queue for grid connections in the Netherlands, where ageing cabling and limited infrastructure are throttling growth.
Some may not get connected until the 2030s, despite investment in substations. In order to manage demand rationing of power was introduced last month.
Local authorities fear the delays will scare off investment. Aggreko believes the crisis should serve as a wake-up call for Britain.
Craig Fleming, Utilities Sector Lead for UK & Ireland at Aggreko, said: “The Netherlands is a prime example of the strain that electrification can place on the grid and what the possible consequences are for business owners and end users. Europe is home to some of the oldest electricity infrastructure in the world, so this transition is not something to be taken lightly.
“For this reason, decentralised energy will be a key asset for both network operators and industry during this transitional period. When deployed on a large scale, decentralised energy can help reduce grid intermittency, while for businesses, it can help support resilience and capacity, or bridge the gap while waiting for a grid connection to be established.”
The UK isn’t facing rationing yet – but its infrastructure is creaking. Some transformers still in service today were installed more than 60 years ago, with an average age of 63.
Aggreko points to decentralised options like low-emission Stage V generators, gas and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as critical tools for grid support and business continuity.
“Large-scale gas packages can be used to deploy power where the grid requires stabilisation, providing responsive, reliable energy to combat fluctuations,” said the firm. “These systems are ideal for balancing energy supply and demand, particularly during peak periods when additional capacity is critical.”
Dutch electricity rationing should serve as a warning to Britain appeared first on Energy Live News.