Overview

• The four cities set out their concerns in a letter to demissionary climate minister Sophie Hermans, citing threats to housing projects and social facilities.
• Current practice gives housing and small users priority for electricity connections on congested local grids, but its continuation from 2026 is uncertain under the ACM’s pending framework.
• Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague warn that schools, charging infrastructure and developer confidence could be hit if priorities change without safeguards.
• Large consumers have been unable to obtain new connections in all four cities since 2022, and grid expansion is expected to take at least six years and up to eleven in some areas.
• The municipalities ask for national leadership, clear communication on any waitlist reshuffle, protections so ongoing projects do not stall, and involvement in discussions with ACM, Netbeheer Nederland and the ministry.