ACM: giving priority to projects that contribute to major social objectives remains possible with the new prioritization framework
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

ACM has set a new prioritization framework regarding the ability to give projects that contribute to major social objectives priority in getting connected to the grid.
That is important because the grid is congested, waiting lists are getting longer and longer, and the scarce capacity needs to go to projects that are needed the most from a social point of view.
On the basis of objective criteria, system operators and parties involved are able to use the new framework to allocate capacity fairly.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                

  
    
            

After 1 January 2026, system operators will still be able to give projects that contribute to major social objectives priority in getting access to the congested grid. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set a new prioritization framework for this. The prioritization framework stipulates how system operators allocate the scarce capacity on the grid. Initiatives that create more grid capacity are connected first. Priority is subsequently given to sectors and activities that contribute to major social objectives (such as residential construction, hospitals, schools, and national defense) so that these can go on as much as possible.


Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, adds: “In many areas, the waiting lists for access to the grid are getting longer and longer. It’s therefore important that the scarce transmission capacity is optimally allocated on the basis of objective criteria. With this framework, projects that contribute to social objectives can go on as much as possible. System operators, but also local governments, businesses, and other organizations can continue working with this.”
Background of the new prioritization framework


ACM has set a new prioritization framework, following a ruling of the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb). According to the CBb, ACM is authorized to set a prioritization framework, but ACM had to assess and justify better which parties would get priority. ACM has done so in this new framework.
Three categories with priority


On the basis of objective criteria, ACM has determined what social objectives are prioritized. ACM assessed whether the absence of extra transmission capacity would result in serious risks to national security, the continuity of key public services, or to the functioning of Dutch society as a whole. In addition, the activity must serve a major public interest in the Netherlands, and no realistic alternative can be available within the European Union. The new prioritization framework retains the three categories that ACM had introduced in the previous prioritization framework:

Congestion softeners – projects that immediately create more capacity on the grid. As a result, more market participants are able to use the grid.
Security – projects that are essential to national security such as hospitals, emergency services, national defense, and the police.
Basic needs – projects that provide basic social needs such as residential construction and education.



In comparison with the current prioritization framework, ACM has expanded the category ‘security’ with the social objectives of highly sensitive technologies, emergency alert systems (such as C2000, which is the national system that Dutch emergency services use), secure communication channels, customs, transportation safety, hospitals, blood supply, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Europol, and sewage/wastewater. The category ‘basic needs’ is supplemented with the social objectives of public transport, shared housing (for example, for health care or shelters), telecommunication, and gas storages for the security of supply of natural gas.


ACM has received 106 responses to the draft decision of the new framework. ACM has compared these responses with the assessment criteria, and has used the responses to come to a better framework. When adding social objectives, ACM adopted a critical attitude, because too broad a framework would not be effective. ACM does take into account that changing social circumstances can lead to adjustments to the framework. Recent discussions about European and national sovereignty and resilience are an example thereof. In order to take into account changing social circumstances, ACM will evaluate the framework regularly.
Residential construction


Due to the large shortage of homes, all the different types of housing are prioritized: from large-scale residential projects and shared housing (asylum seeker centers, health care, shelters, migrant workers) to individual upgrades of grid connections for homes. ACM has also made it possible for municipalities to request priority for residential construction early in the planning phase of housing projects.


At the moment, system operators reserve transmission capacity for future small-scale grid users. This means that, despite the grid congestion, additional grid capacity can still be available for small-scale users’ activities, such as residential construction. On the other hand, large-scale users such as hospitals, national-defense activities, schools, and public transport are on the waiting list. This system operators’ method of reserving capacity for future small-scale grid users is not part of ACM’s prioritization framework. The distinction between large-scale and small-scale users is unrelated to the social value of a market participant. This method does not do any justice to the prioritization framework, and therefore needs to change. Until 1 July 2026, the present method will remain in place, and residential housing projects, too, can still be connected using the existing method, as long as there is sufficient capacity. This offers small-scale users the opportunity to prepare themselves for the new prioritization framework. At the same time as the implementation of the new prioritization framework, system operators, the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth (KGG), the Dutch Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO), ACM, the Association of Provincial Authorities (IPO), and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) are working together on a new method for requesting transmission capacity in an early stage applicable to both small-scale and large-scale users. The Ministry of KGG sent a letter about this on 6 October and 24 November 2025 to the Dutch House of Representatives.

      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                                      See also
                      
    

12-12-2025  Opinions regarding draft code amendment decision on opportunities for prioritization of transport requests (in Dutch)12-12-2025  2025 Code amendment decision on opportunities for prioritization of transport requests (in Dutch)11-03-2025  Response to CBb ruling: ACM has the independent power to set a prioritization framework and to make choicesLetter to the Dutch House of Representatives about the current state of play regarding measures aimed at tackling grid congestion (in Dutch)Answers to the questions of the Dutch House of Representatives about 'Residential construction jeopardized due to new rules on grid congestion’ (in Dutch)
            
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                12-12-2025
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
              Press office 
              
                                  Contact
                              
            
          
                                

          
                      

                                    
                Keywords
                  Codes,
  Electricity,
  Energietransitie,
  Regulation

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Energy

ACM Introduces New Framework for Prioritizing Socially Beneficial Projects in Grid Access

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has implemented a new prioritization framework that allows system operators to prioritize projects contributing to major social objectives when allocating access to the congested electricity grid. This decision comes in response to increasing waiting lists and the need for fair allocation of scarce grid capacity.

Under the new framework, which will remain effective after January 1, 2026, projects that enhance grid capacity will be connected first. Following that, priority will be given to sectors that serve significant social needs, such as residential construction, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and national defense.

ACM's Member of the Board, Manon Leijten, emphasized the importance of optimizing the allocation of transmission capacity based on objective criteria to ensure that projects with social value can proceed without unnecessary delays. The framework categorizes projects into three priority groups: congestion softeners, security-related projects, and basic needs.

The security category has been expanded to include projects related to sensitive technologies and emergency services, while the basic needs category now encompasses public transport and shared housing initiatives. ACM has also committed to regularly evaluating the framework to adapt to changing social circumstances.

In light of the housing shortage, all types of residential construction projects are prioritized, allowing municipalities to request early priority for housing initiatives. The current method of reserving capacity for small-scale users will remain until July 1, 2026, while a new method for requesting transmission capacity is being developed in collaboration with various governmental bodies.



ACM Introduces New Framework for Prioritizing Socially Beneficial Projects in Grid Access

The Dutch competition authority, ACM, has established a new framework to prioritize projects that contribute to significant social objectives for access to the congested electricity grid.