What do the election manifestos say about flexibility and storage?

ESNL has reviewed the election manifestos regarding flexibility and storage. Many parties link this to grid congestion, and some also link it to strategic autonomy and security of supply. Below is an overview for each party.

BBB

The BBB places a strong emphasis on local initiatives and discusses storage and flexibility in the context of decentralized optimization of energy generation, storage, and consumption. The BBB also addresses a rethinking of large-scale electrification and smarter use of existing electricity infrastructure.

CDA

The CDA primarily prioritizes flexibility and storage as a means of addressing impending grid congestion, and discusses promoting flexible contracts. Permitting procedures for electricity projects should be expedited through shorter appeal procedures and increased permit-free flexibility, with specific attention to restrictions on nitrogen emissions. The party emphasizes spreading the burden of grid investments across generations. Regarding _CO2 -free controllable capacity, the CDA emphasizes SMRs and the conversion of gas-fired power plants, but also mentions repurposing coal-fired power plant locations for "other forms of clean energy."

FVD

The FVD party wants to abandon _CO2 targets and base the energy supply on natural gas, coal-fired power plants, and nuclear power plants. Flexibility and storage are therefore not explicit themes.

JA21

JA21 considers storage a priority in the context of expanding and strengthening the electricity grid. The party advocates for a level playing field for the energy sector with neighboring countries. It wants to halt the construction of heating networks and guarantee security of supply with nuclear energy.

GreenLeft–PvdA

GL-PvdA prioritizes energy storage as a way to reduce dependence on high-risk countries, and sees a particular role for batteries (short-term) and hydrogen-powered gas-fired power plants (long-term). The party also wants to encourage businesses and households to use electricity outside peak hours and support batteries. GL-PvdA also advocates for spreading the burden of grid investments and differentiating grid tariffs. It wants to reduce the costs of district heating networks and focus on locally driven heating and cooling networks.

NSC

NSC wants to encourage the use of energy storage at the neighborhood level and in business parks, in light of the threat of grid congestion. The party focuses primarily on energy security and considers lowering household energy bills a priority. NSC wants to curb rising grid tariffs, for example, by staggering the repayment of investment costs and introducing peak and off-peak tariffs. District heating networks must implement a low fixed rate and a higher variable rate, and the government must guarantee their affordability. Private investments with excessively long payback periods, which are necessary for a feasible and affordable energy transition, must be financially supported.

Party for the Animals

The Party for the Animals (PvdD) considers energy storage essential for keeping pace with the supply of sustainable energy and wants to invest in it for "essential services." The party wants to invest in battery production with strict requirements for sustainability, nature inclusivity, and human rights, and is committed to recycling. District heating networks must no longer be powered by fossil fuels, and peaks on the electricity grid must be prevented.

PVV

The PVV wants to abandon climate goals and associated policies and prioritize energy affordability. Flexibility and storage play no part in their platform.

SP

The SP is particularly committed to nationalizing the energy supply, and also cites independence from authoritarian regimes. The party prioritizes energy storage as a way to capture surpluses of sustainable energy generation, and then specifically mentions neighborhood batteries to bridge periods without sun or wind.

Christian Union

The Christian Union wants to financially support congestion-relieving storage and conversion, including through a lower grid tariff. The party also advocates for clear frameworks for home batteries regarding quality, safety, material use, and controllability. The Christian Union wants to give grid operators the freedom to participate in storage and incorporate mandatory switching options. Regarding grid tariffs, the party aims for a level playing field with neighboring countries, longer depreciation periods, and a €10 billion capital injection to grid operators. To ensure security of supply, the party is exploring hydrogen-powered batteries and power plants, and also suggests a capacity market as an option. The Christian Union also sees batteries as part of a more locally designed energy system and wants to support cooperatives. District heating networks must become more financially attractive for residents, and hydrogen storage should help make industry more sustainable.

VVD

The VVD wants to help companies flexibilize their electricity demand and exchange grid capacity. The party advocates for shortened appeal and objection procedures for priority energy infrastructure projects and advocates for amortization to distribute investment costs more fairly.

Volt

Volt advocates for a government-led role in the rollout of all forms of energy storage to relieve pressure on electricity and heating grids and reduce waiting times. Energy storage in residential areas and business parks should be encouraged, and regional energy supplies should have at least 50% local ownership. Volt also advocates for a European vision for the future of electricity production, storage, transport, and consumption, and wants the Netherlands to play a significant role in the storage and transit of hydrogen. Legal barriers to cross-border projects in the field of energy exchange and storage must be removed. The party wants grid operators to enable flexible contracts and invest in energy storage. Electricity users should receive a variable electricity rate. Furthermore, Volt calls for adjustments to subsidies to encourage batteries without rare, polluting raw materials, and wants to support the industry in the initial large-scale application of promising technologies.

D66

D66 wants to organize energy storage at the European level and is committed to a level playing field for businesses. Energy cooperatives should be assisted in developing neighborhood batteries. The party wants to shorten and streamline permitting procedures, and direct the spatial planning of the energy transition and address grid congestion at the regional level. Industry will be given a sector-specific end date for fossil fuel technologies and will ensure the necessary permits and grid connections. District heating networks should be supported by a national investment bank.