The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has evaluated the use of standard compensations for congestion management in wind and solar parks, concluding that system operators can continue this practice. This decision aims to streamline arrangements between system operators and sustainable-energy producers, ensuring efficient use of grid capacity.

Due to grid overloads in many regions of the Netherlands, waiting lists for grid access have emerged. To address this, system operators must enhance grid infrastructure and optimize existing capacity. Congestion management allows wind and solar farms to temporarily interrupt operations in exchange for compensation when transport capacity is insufficient during peak times.

In 2024, ACM permitted system operators to experiment with these standard compensations for a two-year period. Both system operators and trade associations, such as Holland Solar and Energie Samen, have expressed a desire to continue this approach under the same conditions, which ACM supports.

The evaluation showed that standard compensations have simplified negotiations with energy producers on waiting lists and provided valuable insights into reasonable compensation for flexibility. However, the number of signed contracts remains low, partly due to the need for system operators to implement congestion management effectively. Smaller parks also face challenges in being directed by operators during peak times.

ACM has emphasized that opting for standard compensation is voluntary, allowing producers to negotiate individual arrangements if preferred. The authority encourages market participants to report any obstacles they face, with the possibility of further investigation into complaints.