Our electricity grid is under pressure. Demand for power is growing rapidly, and renewable generation doesn’t always match consumption. As a result, bottlenecks on the grid are occurring more often. While grid operators are working on expansion, we are also looking for ways to use the existing grid more intelligently.
Flexible power use—temporarily consuming or generating more or less—helps to utilise the grid more smartly and prevent overload. It’s a solution for today, and a lasting part of the electricity system of the future. Read more here about flexible power use
At peak moments, the demand for transport capacity can exceed what the local grid can handle. To prevent this, grid operators ask large business users to temporarily reduce their consumption or limit their feed-in. This flexibility is laid down in various contract forms, also known as flex products.
Participation is voluntary and, in addition to financial compensation, offers businesses certainty for the future. Through GOPACS, we ensure flexibility is deployed efficiently and companies contribute to a reliable, future-proof energy system. Read more here about congestion management
GOPACS is the joint platform of the grid operators through which flexible capacity is used smartly and transparently to prevent grid congestion. This is done via redispatch bids and capacity limitation contracts.
With up-to-date data, GOPACS shows where congestion is looming and what flexibility is needed. Market parties align their bids accordingly, while grid operators gain insight into effectiveness and availability. In this way, GOPACS helps businesses make use of their flexibility and contribute to a reliable, future-proof energy system. Read more here about the role of GOPACS
Congestion occurs when the demand for electricity transport exceeds the available transport capacity. In other words, there is not enough capacity on the electricity grid to transport all the electricity that is needed at that moment.
If this situation is structural, the grid operator will reinforce or expand the electricity grid. However, expanding the grid is a process that takes several years. In the meantime, grid operators try to manage the available capacity by shifting where and when electricity is consumed or generated. They do this with support from the market, such as large energy users, aggregators and energy suppliers.
These parties can help by shifting their electricity consumption or generation to another moment. Energy can also be stored temporarily. This creates the flexibility needed to prevent or reduce peaks on the electricity grid.
When a grid operator expects a shortage of transport capacity (congestion), the market is asked to help resolve it by adjusting energy consumption. This adjustment creates flexibility.
For example, a cold storage facility could switch off its freezers for two hours during a peak demand period without affecting the temperature. This frees up capacity on the grid for another user.
For more information on congestion, see the ‘About congestion management‘ page.
Congestion management is the set of measures deployed by network operators to mitigate the effects of congestion and prevent the network from becoming overloaded. Whereas congestion indicates the problem of capacity shortage, congestion management focuses on the practical solutions to deal with these bottlenecks. Congestion management is crucial for a stable, affordable and sustainable energy supply in the Netherlands. It will become increasingly important as power demand and the share of renewables continue to grow. Read more about congestion management here.
GOPACS is designed to address grid congestion in a targeted and collaborative way. In places where the electricity grid temporarily reaches its limits, GOPACS helps grid operators respond quickly and efficiently. This keeps the grid reliable, affordable, and ready for further growth and decarbonisation.
Through GOPACS, grid operators deploy flexible capacity from market parties and large energy users: exactly where congestion occurs and only when it is needed. By coordinating this flexibility intelligently, additional room is created on the grid without causing new bottlenecks elsewhere.
GOPACS is a unique collaboration between all Dutch grid operators. By working together nationally and managing congestion through a single platform, the electricity grid as a whole becomes stronger and more future-proof.
Electricity consumption and generation change continuously. At peak moments, local demand or generation can exceed what the electricity grid can handle. This situation is called congestion. Without intervention, it can lead to grid overload.
To prevent this, grid operators initiate redispatch via GOPACS. They ask the market to provide flexibility at the location and time where the grid is under pressure.
Flex bids make this possible. With a flex bid, a market party indicates how much flexibility is available, when it can be delivered, and at what price. For example, by temporarily producing less electricity, consuming more, or reducing electricity demand.
Grid operators use these bids to adjust supply and demand locally. This helps smooth out peaks and keeps the grid balanced — exactly where the bottleneck occurs and only for as long as needed. In this way, the electricity grid remains reliable and flexibility gains value in the market.
A CSP (Congestion Service Provider) manages congestion management on behalf of one or more connected parties. The CSP aggregates flexibility, submits bids, and ensures execution and settlement in accordance with the Grid Code.
This applies to connected parties with a contracted transport capacity (GTV) of 0.1 MW or higher.
