Enexis is on track, but significant challenges remain
In the first six months of 2025, grid operator Enexis made significant progress thanks to its district approach and modular construction methods. Enexis invested 37% more compared to the first half of 2024 and achieved 520 MVA (megavolt-amperes) of grid capacity. Enexis expects to achieve a record investment in 2025. However, a shortage of public space and technical personnel, complex permit procedures and nitrogen restrictions continue to pose serious challenges to the construction task. Enexis is therefore maintaining a strong focus on recruitment and close cooperation with municipalities.
‘We are working flat out to upgrade, expand and maintain our gas and electricity grids, and I am proud of that,’ says Rutger van der Leeuw, CEO of Enexis. ‘Our district approach is paying off, as we have significantly scaled up our efforts together with our contractor partners. This enables us to support the sustainable growth of households and SMEs in our service area. However, the construction task ahead remains enormous. We are fully aware that this is having a significant impact on our customers. They are having to wait longer for a connection or an upgrade to their existing one. That is why we continue to using the current electricity grid more intelligently and increasing its load where possible.’
Increasing the load
Currently, more than 9,000 business customers are on the waiting list. To continue connecting as many customers as possible, Enexis is focusing on faster construction and placing an even heavier load on the electricity grid. In some areas, this means the grid will operate at over 100% capacity. This raises the risk of overloads and outages. Despite this, the reliability of the electricity grid remains high. The average outage duration in the first half of 2025 was 10.5 minutes, down from 12.8 minutes in the same period in 2024.
Risk of overload
This spring, Enexis announced it would need to take additional measures in certain areas to prevent grid overload and, in extreme cases, disconnect customers. This risk is greatest in spring on very sunny days, when solar panels generate a large surplus of electricity while consumption is low. To alleviate pressure on the electricity grid, pilot projects such as Zonnedimmer and Buurtnet were launched this spring. Thanks to technical interventions, Enexis has so far avoided having to disconnect customers. Enexis is currently preparing for the winter months. Five stations in North Brabant and Overijssel are under increased observation.
Smart use of existing grid capacity
The flexible use of existing grid capacity yielded 239 MW in the first half of 2025. Enexis is therefore on track to achieve its annual target of 500 MW. Flexible contracts are a crucial part of a future-proof energy system. The capacity that we free up in this way is used more efficiently, reducing the need to expand the grid. ‘It no longer makes sense to design our grids for maximum peak loads. This would further increase social investment costs and prolong waiting times’, says Rutger van der Leeuw. That is why Enexis is working to raise awareness among business customers of the added value flexibility offers. Unfortunately, enthusiasm for this is limited, and as a result, much of its potential remains untapped. Enexis is therefore critically reviewing its own product range to better appeal to business customers. In addition, Enexis is developing other flexible solutions, such as dimming solar parks during peak loads and encouraging grid-aware home charging.
Investments continue to increase
In the first half of 2025, Enexis saw an increase in investments, primarily driven by the expansion and upgrade of the electricity grid. Gross investments for the first half of the year totalled € 889 million, € 241 million more than in that same period in 2024. However, due to this increased investment and the delayed reimbursement of these costs under the current tariff regulation, cash flows from operating activities and investments in tangible and intangible fixed assets were negative at € 434 million in the first half of 2025 (2024: negative € 286 million). Net profit for the first half of 2025 was € 192 million. This represents a € 70 million increase compared to the same period last year. Net profit has increased because revenue in 2025 grew more significantly than costs. This is explained by the fact that the rates in 2025 include a deferred compensation for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024
Enexis’s CFO Mariëlle Vogt stepped down from the Executive Board this summer. As of June 1st she has been succeeded by Marjanne van Ittersum.