In a year there will be definitely extra gas generators in the province of Utrecht, to prevent overloading the power grid. According to network manager Stedin, it is “not a nice message” that it is necessary, but the generators will usually stand still.
The demand for electricity is growing faster in the Utrecht region than network operators Tennet and Stedin can keep up. If they do not intervene, large -scale power outages threaten on cold days, if there is a lot of demand and little supply of electricity. Last year it was already announced that gas is not shunned as a solution to this problem.
That is why Stedin held a so -called ‘flex tender’ for the first time. Such a tender is searched for suppliers who can supply flexible electricity. The FlexPowerNet and Rolls-Royce companies were jointly found out as the winner.
In the fall of 2026 they will place gas generators in six places in the province. There are four ship containers with generators per location. In total they can deliver 60 megawatts of electricity, enough for 60,000 households.
In practice they usually stand still, Stedin promises: only at peak times is used to gas. Around 2030, according to predictions of the network operator, it is about five hundred hours a year, just over 5 percent of the total.
To prevent noise pollution, the generators are placed at least 235 meters of homes. They also cannot be too close to Natura 2000 areas, because then nitrogen would descend on vulnerable nature. Stedin is still working on a search for suitable locations. Until now, only a place on the southern edge of the city of Utrecht is specifically in the picture.
Costs remain secret
Stedin and Tennet pay for the purchase of the generators and for every hour they are running. The network operators do not want to say what the costs are, which will ultimately be reflected in the account of all power users. “In the entire package of measures, this is by far the most expensive,” Warmold ten Zijthoff, regional director at Stedin.
That is why, according to him, the network operator prefers to look at other ways to relieve the power grid. To prevent the peak crowds on the net, cars will have to load at more favorable moments and companies will also be asked to avoid the rush. New buildings are being built in Utrecht in such a way that they use electricity smarter.
But despite the costs and CO2 emissions, the use of gas is justified, says Ten Zijthoff. “Because of this emergency measure, for example, we can connect 60,000 new heat pumps, which deliver sustainable heat throughout the year. I call it a little gray for more green.”
The expansion of the high -voltage network in Utrecht has been delayed for years, because a planned location for an electricity station turned out not to be suitable. As a result, it will probably take until 2033 or even 2035 before the problems on the power grid are definitively over and the gas generators can be removed.
Possibly other provinces will also have to use more gas later to temporarily tackle bottlenecks on the power grid, says Robert Kuik of TenneT. “We have to look at the need for it from region to region.”
If the expectations of the network operators show that the peaks on the power grid are short -lived elsewhere, this may also be collected with batteries. But because flexible power is needed in Utrecht for up to fifty hours, the network operators came out of gas as an emergency solution.
In a year, there will definitely be extra gas generators in the province of Utrecht to combat the overloading of the electricity grid. Accordance to grid operator stedin, it is “not a nice message” that this is necessary, but the generators will usaally be idle.
The Demand for Electricity in the Utrecht Region is Growing Faster Than Grid Operators Tennet and Stedin Can Keep Up. If they do not intervene, there is a threat of large-scaly power outages on cold days, when there is a lot of demand and little supply of electricity. Last year it was announced that gas is also not being shunned as a solution to this problem.
That is why stedin hero a so-called ‘flex tender’ for the first time. Such a tender seeks suppliers who can supply flexible electricity. The Companions FlexpowerNet and Rolls-Royce Jointly Emerged as the Winner.
In The Fall of 2026, They Will Place Gas Generators at Six Locations in the Province. Per location, this concerns four shipping containers with generators. In Total, they can supply 60 megawatts of electricity, Enough for 60,000 households.
In practice, they are usual idle, stedin promises: gas is only used at peak moments. Around 2030, Accordance to Forecasts by the Grid Operator, This Will Be About Five Hunded Hours per year, Just about 5 percent of the Total.
To Prevent Noise Pollution, The Generators Are Placed At Least 235 Meters From Homes. They also cannot be too close to kind 2000 areas, because nitrogen would like that fall on vulnerable nature. Stedin is a still looking for Suitable Locations. So far, only a place on the southern edge of the city of Utrecht is concrete in sight.
Costs Remain Secret
Stedin and Tennet Pay for the purchase of the generators and for every hour that they are running. The grid operators do not want to say what the costs are, which ultimately come on the bill of all electricity users. “In the Entire Package of Measures, This is by far the most exensive,” Acknowledges Warmold ten Zijthoff, Regional Director at Stedin.
That is why, accordance to him, the grid operator prefers to look at other ways to relieve the electricity grid. To prevent peak pressure on the grid, cars will have to be charged at more favorable times and companies will also be asked to avoid rush hour. New Housing Estates in Utrecht Are Being Built in Such A Way That They Deal with Electricity More Smartly.
But the use of gas is still response Despite The Costs and CO2 Emissions, Says ten Zijthoff. “With this emergency measure, for example, we can connect 60,000 new heat pumps, which supply sustainable heat all year round. I call it a bit gray for more green.”
The Expansion of the High-Voltage Grid in Utrecht Has Been Delayed for Years, Because a Planned Location for an Electricity Station Turned Out Not To Be Suitable After All. As a result, it will probably take until 2033 or just 2035 Before the Problems on the electricity grid are definitely about and the gas generators can be removed.
Other provinces may also have to use more gas later to temporarily address bottlenecks on the electricity grid, says robert kuik or tennet. “We have to look at the necessity of this from region to region.”
If the grid operators’ Expectations Show That the Peaks on the Electricity Grid Elsewhere Are of Short Duration, This Can Possible also Be Absorbed With Batteries. But because flexible power is needed in Utrecht for up to fifty hours in a row, the grid operators opted for gas as an emergency solution.