GIGA Storage and Dutch grid operator TenneT have signed a time-bound connection and transmission agreement, marking a significant milestone in the efficient utilization of the Netherlands' electricity network. This agreement, the first of its kind in the country, allows GIGA Storage to draw electricity from the grid or feed it back into the grid at least 85% of the time.
The new contract, developed under the National Grid Congestion Action Programme, will enable GIGA Storage to connect its 300MW GIGA Leopard battery project, with a storage capacity of up to 1,200MWh, to the electricity grid in Delfzijl. “This new form of contract ensures that we make more efficient use of the scarce space on the grid,” said TenneT. The grid operator emphasized the importance of this contract type, given the current pressure on the electricity network, which often makes full and fixed transmission rights unattainable.
In addition to improving grid efficiency, the contract offers financial incentives for customers, providing discounts of up to 65% on transmission rates. The time-bound agreement aims to optimize the available space on the grid, particularly during off-peak periods.
Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Sophie Hermans, highlighted the importance of the new contract in the broader context of the nation's energy strategy. “We are all working very hard to expand the electricity grid faster, and we also need to use the grid in a smarter way,” Hermans stated. She expressed hope that this approach would serve as a model for other companies considering flexible contracts.
TenneT CEO Manon van Beek echoed this sentiment, describing the agreement as a crucial step in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the current power grid. “With this time-bound type of contract, we can make better use of the available capacity and connect more customers who use the grid outside rush hour,” van Beek noted.
GIGA Storage CEO Ruud Nijs underscored the collaborative effort behind the agreement. “With this new contract, we show that by working together we can come up with very good solutions. By listening carefully to each other, we are really taking the energy transition a step forward and making a significant contribution to a more sustainable and stable energy supply.”
