1. Netherlands energy storage market facing challenges due to high grid fees
2. Regulator ACM considering changes to grid fees to reduce costs for energy storage operators
3. Proposed grid fee reforms could potentially double grid-scale BESS capacity by 2030
The Netherlands energy storage market has been slow to take off due to high grid fees that battery energy storage systems have to pay. The regulator ACM has been considering changes to flexibilize grid fees while maintaining technology neutrality. Developers are now provided a non-firm connection with lower grid fees but limited power drawing from the grid for a maximum of 15% of the time. This could reduce grid fees by two-thirds, improving the business case for energy storage operators, although it may limit their flexibility to monetize their assets.
The changes in grid fees could lead to an increase in grid-scale BESS capacity in the Netherlands, potentially exceeding 2 GW by 2030. Additional policy support for batteries, such as subsidies for co-location with solar parks from 2025, could further boost deployment. The imminent change in government is not expected to impact the reforms, as they have broad support. However, there is still uncertainty about the impact of these changes on the development of BESS in the grid. The technology-agnostic rules aim to ensure equality and transparency in integrating BESS, but the full impact remains to be seen.