Overview

• Eleven of the 22 at‑risk distribution stations are in Noord‑Brabant, with others in Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel and Limburg, and the highest risk falls on very cold days.
• Peak vulnerability is forecast between 07:00–10:00 and 16:00–21:00, when heat pumps, EV charging and household loads surge as solar output lags.
• Reserve capacity is already deployed, with paid curtailment for businesses being prepared and targeted shutoffs of minutes to hours held as a last resort to protect equipment.
• Households and companies are asked to cut and shift demand, prepare contingency plans for critical processes and expect that individual firms cannot be exempted during emergency switching.
• Business leaders warn of economic strain, while Brabant moves to speed grid works and budget about €240 million, and national data show about 14,000 firms waiting for new or larger connections, with critical sites including Eindhoven and Winsum/Ranum highlighted.