TenneT to spend EUR 6bn on grid upgrades as renewables grow

TenneT Holding BV plans to upgrade the Dutch high voltage grid, investing some EUR 6 billion (USD 6.63bn) over the next 10 years, in capacity both on land and offshore.

The Netherlands-based transmission system operator (TSO) intends to invest EUR 4 billion onshore, of which 70% will be spent on expanding the network and 20% on replacing existing infrastructure. A further EUR 2 billion is allocated for the development and construction of an offshore grid to hook 3.45 GW of planned wind farms off the coasts of Zeeland and Holland.

TenneT noted that wind and solar power generation is booming in the northwestern European market, which in turn increases the need for additional transmission capacity. It expects a notable jump in solar power generation to 3 GW in 2017, 5 GW in 2020 and 9.2 GW by 2025. In contrast, there will be no large gas or coal capacity additions. Wind power, both on and offshore, is progressing as planned.

The company also mentioned some planned developments with neighbouring countries such as new or expanded links to Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the UK and Norway, with transmission capacities ranging from 700 MW to 4.25 GW.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.107)

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