Excellent network management

Supply reliability of the electricity grid 

In 2024, our customers were without electricity for an average of 24.6 minutes (2023: 23.2 minutes). This represents a roughly 6% higher annual outage duration compared to 2023. There are large differences per grid layer. The outage duration component in the low-voltage grid decreased due to a drop in the number of outages and the average outage duration. In the medium-voltage and high-voltage grids, however, the outage duration component increased, due in part to some extensive outages in the high-voltage grid. There were 30 repeat outages in the power grid in 2024. This represents a drop of 14 outages compared to 2023. This decline was especially apparent in the last few months. During these months, 2023 was characterised by an extremely high number of outages, including repeat outages. In 2024, the number of outages was much lower. 

Average outage duration per connection in the gas network (seconds)

Gas outages are relatively uncommon. The main cause of fluctuations in the gas outage duration is ad hoc outages caused by a third party, for example during excavation work, which often leave customers without gas for a long time. 

Access to energy

As a network operator, we believe that energy should be accessible and affordable for everyone. Disconnections happen at the request of the energy supplier. We exercise restraint in disconnecting households that have trouble paying their bills. During extreme winter weather, we take appropriate action to ensure that everyone has access to electricity and heat. In this context, we go further than the law requires. 

Energy poverty

The transition to a sustainable energy supply system is essential for addressing climate change, but this transition also raises important ethical issues. One of the most pressing is how we should act to ensure that the transition to clean energy does not lead to increased energy costs that put an extra burden on the shoulders of vulnerable or low-income groups in society. As a sector, we are looking at different solutions for adapting laws to create scope for more appropriate cost distribution and for actually offering help to people who need it and not shutting them out in the cold.