A congestion area is generally defined as a region where there is a structural shortage of transport capacity on the electricity grid. In such areas, the grid needs to be expanded. Until that expansion is completed, there is no room for new or larger connections. These areas are listed on the Capacity Map published by the Dutch grid operators.
In the context of congestion management, a congestion area refers to the location from or to which more electricity needs to be transported than the local grid can safely handle at that moment. This area is then part of a congestion situation, for which a solution is sought via GOPACS, using either Capacity Limiting Contracts (CBCs) or redispatch.
