Transport and Logistiek Nederland (TLN), alongside ten other organizations, has called upon the Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM) to intervene regarding the practice of requiring upfront payments for electricity grid connections that will not be delivered for many years. Due to widespread grid congestion, transport companies are experiencing waiting periods that can extend up to a decade. For instance, Veenstra-Fritom, a transport firm, has been required to pay 15,000 euros for a connection with an uncertain activation date.
This situation poses a substantial challenge for freight forwarders and logistics operators, particularly those investing in electric vehicle fleets or electrifying their warehouse operations. The inability to secure timely and adequate power connections directly impedes their transition to sustainable practices and can lead to significant operational delays and financial burdens. Forwarders might face higher operational costs if they cannot switch to electric vehicles as planned, or if new electrified facilities remain underutilized. This also impacts capacity planning and the overall competitiveness of the Dutch logistics sector.
If the ACM does not address these issues, the electrification of the Dutch transport sector could be severely hampered, potentially slowing down the country's broader climate goals. Companies may be forced to continue relying on fossil fuels for longer than intended, impacting their environmental targets and increasing their carbon footprint.