Something important is changing for everyone involved in the rollout of public charging infrastructure. From July 1, 2026, new rules for grid connections will apply, and those who don’t act on time could find themselves at the back of the queue for years. In this blog, we explain exactly what is changing and what you need to do now.
What will change as of July 1, 2026?
The electricity grid in the Netherlands is full in many places. Grid operators cannot always realize new connections on time. In order to still fairly distribute who has their turn when, the ACM has drawn up a prioritization framework.
Until now, this framework only applied to wholesale consumers anything above 3×80 amps. But by July 1, 2026, the framework will be extended to small consumers. That also means new residential connections and reinforcements of existing connections, for example at schools or other properties that want to become more sustainable.
Public charging infrastructure falls outside all three prioritized categories in this framework. Applications received after July 1 will automatically come to the back of the queue. And those wait times add up to several years.
Why is this urgent?
The July 1 deadline is tough. Projects that are already concrete but have not yet applied for grid connection risk being delayed for years. While the growth of electric driving continues: by 2030, 20 to 35 percent of all cars are expected to drive electrically.
At the same time, about 70 percent of homes in urban areas do not have their own driveways. Those residents are completely dependent on public charging stations. If the rollout of those poles delays for years, it will have major consequences for the accessibility of electric driving for everyone.
Energy transition won’t stop but requires smarter approach
Grid congestion does not mean electric driving will stop. It means we have to be smarter about how we use the available capacity. And that is precisely what offers opportunities.
Charging stations that charge smartly by charging at quiet times, distributing power fairly and communicating with the grid actively contribute to a stable energy system. Thus, charging infrastructure becomes not only a consumer, but also a solution to grid congestion.
What should you do now?
The next few months will be decisive. These are the concrete steps:
- Apply to your system operator for new connections or reinforcements of existing small-use connections before July 1, 2026.
- Do you receive a written commitment from the grid operator? If so, share it with your contact person and indicate which project it applies to.
- Don’t have a commitment yet or can’t submit an application at this time? Please also indicate which projects are involved so that nothing falls between the cracks.
What if you miss the deadline?
Good news for projects that are not ready now: starting Oct. 1, 2026, it will be possible to apply earlier in the construction process. Projects without a commitment before July 1 can then still apply.
But don’t wait for that if you don’t have to. Every week you gain now counts. Grid operators hardly expect to release any additional power after July 1. The sooner you act, the more likely your project will go ahead as usual.
Stay informed
Regulations surrounding grid connections and charging infrastructure are changing rapidly. Opcharge closely follows these developments and helps organizations to take the right steps in time.
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