Dutch households may face higher electricity costs during peak hours starting in 2028
Dutch households may face higher electricity charges during peak periods starting in 2028, according to the Dutch consumer and markets authority ACM. The measure is part of efforts to manage an overloaded electricity grid.
The ACM outlined the proposal in its annual Focus on Energy report. Both households and businesses could see fees that vary depending on the time of day, reflecting the pressure on the network from late afternoon until around 9pm. The regulator plans to provide more details on the new tariff structure later this year.
ACM board member Manon Leijten said the measure is necessary to support the energy transition amid delays in district heating networks and geopolitical uncertainty. “Flexibility is needed from grid operators, businesses, households, the government, and us as the regulator,” she explained.
The grid in central Netherlands is already congested, and no new electricity connection contracts will be issued for homes there after the summer until two new substations are completed. Current government measures, such as encouraging off-peak electric car charging and replacing inefficient appliances, have not sufficiently reduced demand.
By introducing higher charges during busy periods, the ACM hopes to encourage consumers to shift their electricity use. Households could save money by running appliances like washing machines outside peak hours or delaying electric car charging, helping balance supply and demand on the grid.