A Dutch ruling confirms that an accepted electricity connection offer does not set the date a site can use power. Transport capacity may still be unavailable. The project file can affect whether a delay is reasonable. That can change opening dates, contracts and cash forecasts.
Why this matters
A signed offer confirms the connection request. It does not confirm that the grid can carry the electricity your site needs. A completed unit may have equipment invoices and staff start dates, but no usable power. Revenue may be delayed while lease payments and payroll continue. Keep the accepted offer, physical connection and transport capacity in separate records. Set the operating date after usable capacity is confirmed.
Example
WoonFriesland accepted an offer for twelve 3x25A connections in December 2022. Four were completed in July 2023. The other eight followed in March 2024. Transport capacity was unavailable, so Liander needed a transformer station. Liander finished the remaining work within one week after capacity became available. The ruling treated the shortage as relevant to the delay. It did not set one timetable for every project.
XTROVERSO tips
- Record three separate positions. For each site, record the accepted offer, the physical connection status and confirmed transport capacity.
- Set an electricity-operational date. Keep this date separate from construction completion. Use it in the project plan, budget and cash forecast.
- Check dependent contracts. Review the lease, handover terms, equipment orders and customer commitments. Flag dates that require usable electricity.
- Keep one dated file. Store offers, emails, capacity notices, diagrams and meeting notes together. Name the manager responsible for the next decision.
- Recheck old waiting-time figures. Do not treat earlier 12, 18 or 52-week figures as fixed current entitlements. Check the current position first.
Need to assess what a grid delay means for your cash, contracts and opening plan?
The data, sourcing, and analysis behind this article were conducted by Paolo Maria Pavan. AI was not used to identify sources, build the factual basis, or produce the analytical judgment contained here. AI was used only as a drafting aid. The final English text was personally reviewed, edited, and approved by Paolo Maria Pavan before publication.
References
- Geschilbesluit WoonFriesland – Liander, na uitspraak CBb | ACM
- College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven – CBb correction of the earlier ACM reasoning
- Autoriteit Consument en Markt – Missing fixed connection terms for small electricity connections
- Autoriteit Consument en Markt – Current practical connection position for small users
- Rijksoverheid – Current policy pressure on grid expansion and flexible capacity use
