New substation at Breukelen

TenneT is planning to build a new transformer substation near Breukelen in collaboration with regional grid operator Stedin. Such a substation is urgently needed in order to establish a link between the national 380 kV high‑voltage grid and the regional 150 kV grid, which is comprised of the 150 kV grids in the provinces of Utrecht, Flevoland and Gelderland.

At present, the regional 150 kV grid is directly connected to the national 380 kV grid at just three locations (Dodewaard, Doetinchem and Lelystad). A power failure at one of these sites or a failure at a power plant in Utrecht province would immediately endanger the security of electricity supplies in Utrecht, Flevoland and Gelderland province. In the event of a longer‑lasting power failure in the regional grid, the grid in Noord‑Holland province would also fail. An extra link between the national 380 kV grid and the regional 150 kV grid is therefore needed to prevent such a ‘domino effect’. This link would allow electricity from the national grid to be fed directly into the regional grid in case of emergency.

The project for the construction of a new substation at Breukelen is covered by the so‑called National Coordination Scheme. This means that the central government serves as the competent authority, with the Minister being responsible for the decision on the location of the new high‑voltage substation.