Apply for an electrical connection earlier for new construction projects

Starting October 1, 2026, municipalities will be able to apply earlier for an electricity connection and the necessary capacity on the power grid for new construction projects. This program is intended for the construction of new homes and schools. Are you planning to build homes or a school in Zoetermeer within the next 10 years? If so, please register your project with the municipality by August 28, 2026, at the latest, to participate in the “Early Application” procedure.

To which projects does this program apply?

This program is intended for housing projects and schools with an expected completion date no later than 2036.

Housing

  • Real estate developers who build homes
  • Lot owners
  • Entities that build public housing

Education

School boards of:

  • elementary education
  • special education
  • secondary education

To which projects does this not apply?

You can only submit an early application if you do not yet have a house number decision for your project. Do you already have a house number decision? If so, you can request transmission capacity via “I want a new connection” | Stedin.

All terms and conditions are set forth in the Decision of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets.

It is also not possible to apply for this for:

  • making existing homes more sustainable;
  • an increase in electricity consumption without additional housing;
  • a standalone charging station or other projects that are not part of residential construction or educational facilities.

What is the "Apply Early" procedure?

Zoetermeer is experiencing grid congestion: the power grid is reaching capacity. This means that there isn't always enough capacity available on the power grid for new connections or expansions of existing connections.

For residential and educational construction projects, municipalities will be able to apply for an electrical connection earlier, in phases, starting October 1, 2026. This can be done on a per-construction-phase basis and up to 10 years in advance.

This procedure allows the municipality to prepare an application for a grid connection and transmission capacity with the grid operator Stedin at an early stage.

When can you submit your project?

You can submit your project starting Wednesday, August 12. The complete application must be received by the municipality no later than August 28, 2026. If the form is submitted after August 28, is not fully completed, or is missing documents, we will not be able to process your application . So start gathering the information and documents you need for your application now.

Note!

Submitting a project application does not guarantee a connection. The final decision regarding the connection and the available capacity on the power grid rests with the grid operator.

How does it work?

  1. Please register your project by following the instructions on the municipal form. The form is not yet available. See the "Registration" section below for more information.
  2. You must submit all requested project information and supporting documents.
  3. We will check to see if the file is complete.
  4. We evaluate the projects based on the established policy guidelines.
  5. The municipality establishes a preliminary and then a final municipal ranking list.
  6. Starting October 1, 2026, the municipality must submit the projects to Stedin in the specified order.
  7. Stedin reviews the transport request.

Registering with the municipality does not mean you are applying for a spot on Stedin’s waiting list. You must submit a request to the municipality asking them to do this for you. The municipality will do this for you provided that you have correctly followed the process as explained on this webpage.

We recommend that, as soon as you are on the waiting list, you also submit a request for social priority. This is separate from this process and increases your chances of getting an electricity connection. You can find more information about applying for priority at Social Priority | Stedin.

How long will it take?

  • After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email from the municipality.
  • The municipality will review your application within 5 business days.
  • Is your application incomplete or does it contain incorrect information? The municipality will notify you within 5 business days.
  • Is your application complete? If so, you will receive a confirmation from the municipality, and the municipality will submit your application to Stedin as of October 1, in accordance with the established phasing plan.
  • Stedin will then review your application. You will receive an email from Stedin. For more information about the next steps, visit Waiting List | Stedin.

Costs

Registering with the municipality for "Apply Early" is free.

For the transmission capacity itself, you will pay a 20% advance to Stedin. To do so, you must sign the declaration referred to in point 2 under the heading “Declarations.” This amount is subject to change. The rules regarding this have not yet been finalized.

What information do you need to register?

To submit your "Early Application" for a power connection for new construction projects, the following information is required:

Project Details

  • Project name.
  • Name, contact information, and legal form of the sponsor.
  • Brief description of the project and any project phases.
  • Geographic boundaries of the project area, provided as a polygon.
  • Name of the venue owner.
  • Date (month and year) of construction start, broken down by project phase and up to 10 years in the future
    • If the construction start date is not yet certain, a preferred construction start date may be included, with a note indicating that it is a preferred date.
  • The expected completion date (month and year), broken down by project phase
  • Number and type of connections for residential units, or building units in educational projects, by construction phase, including the desired current rating: for example, 100 connections of 3x25A.
  • Number and type of connections for shared facilities, including the desired flow rate (for example, for an elevator, parking facility, or shared system).
  • Number and type of connections for small-scale, inseparably linked activities (KOVA), including the desired flow rate (these are functions associated with the housing development, such as stores or public spaces in the same building).
  • Heating method at the planning level (e.g., district heating, individual heat pumps, community heat pumps, or hybrid heat pumps).
  • Desired date of final connection, broken down by project phase and up to 10 years in the future.
  • For residential construction:
    • Expected number and type of housing units (public housing, mid-range rental, and owner-occupied).
    • Type of building (high-rise, low-rise, or a combination).
  • For educational projects:
    • Chamber of Commerce extract (no more than 1 month old at the time the form is completed)
      • Elementary education: SBI 85100 / 8520 / 85201
      • Special Education: SBI 85202 / 85203
      • Secondary education: SBI 8531 / 85311 / 85312
    • Proof of registration as an accredited institution (Registration of Institutions and Programs, equivalent to Chamber of Commerce records).
    • Type of school (Elementary, secondary, and/or special education)
    • The number of students served by this program

Statements

The project developer must submit the following statements:

  1. A statement issued by the project developer regarding the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
  2. A statement issued by the project developer indicating that he agrees to the legal protections applicable to the procedure and to the financial obligations arising from the request.
  3. A statement that this constitutes a best-efforts obligation on the part of the municipality to apply for transportation capacity, not an obligation to achieve a specific result.
  4. A statement regarding the project concerning the existence of an instruction as referred to in Article 2.33 of the Environment Act, issued by the Provincial Executive; whether the project is subject to the guidelines set forth in the provincial environmental ordinance (Article 2.22 in conjunction with Article 2.6 of the Environment Act), or a project decision adopted by the province regarding the project as referred to in Article 5.44 of the Environment Act. If any of the above situations apply, the applicant must demonstrate in the project dossier that the project complies with these provincial decisions or that the required coordination with or approval from the Provincial Executive has taken place.

The declarations to be signed, as mentioned above, can be requested from the municipality via netcongestie@zoetermeer.nl. The documents will be available for download on this webpage at a later date.

Evidence

To substantiate the construction start date, please submit as many of the following supporting documents as possible:

For residential construction and education

  • A civil law agreement setting forth specific terms regarding the location, the housing development plan, and the schedule, such as:
    • letter of intent
    • cooperation agreement
    • Implementation Agreement
    • sales agreement
    • prior agreement
    • operating agreement
    • or a similar agreement.
  • Documents showing that an environmental permit for a construction project has been (irrevocably) granted for the project site.
  • Documents demonstrating that an environmental plan has been (irrevocably) adopted for the project site.
  • Documents showing that a BOPA permit has been granted for the project site.
  • Other supporting documents demonstrating feasibility, such as:
    • a copy of the environmental plan demonstrating the housing need.
    • Performance agreements with housing authorities.
    • government grants awarded.
    • board and/or council resolutions, including attachments (such as a memorandum of guiding principles), which demonstrate that:
      • This involves concrete and binding agreements regarding the housing needs to be met (including community facilities and/or small-scale, inextricably linked activities) at a specific location.
      • (if necessary) an amendment to the environmental plan is planned.
      • it is reasonably likely that the project will be completed (for example, agreements regarding the start of construction or completion).

For educational purposes only

  • A copy of the municipality of Zoetermeer’s current Comprehensive Education Zoning Plan (IPO) in which the educational site is listed. If an educational site is not listed in the IPO, then a copy of the zoning plan showing that the site in question is zoned for educational use.
  • Documents demonstrating that the requested transport capacity is demonstrably necessary for the:
    • commissioning,
    • expansion,
    • displacement, or
    • continuation of educational services

To register

We expect that you will be able to apply using an application form starting Friday, August 14. The form will be posted here as soon as it is ready. We recommend that you wait to submit your application until the form is available online. That way, you’ll have the best chance of submitting a complete and accurate application.

Don't want to wait for the registration form? You can also submit your registration in advance at: netcongestie@zoetermeer.nl, or by mail to P.O. Box 15, 2700 AA, Zoetermeer.

Please read this before registering:

Contact

Do you have any questions? Please send an email to netcongestie@zoetermeer.nl.

In the email, please include your phone number, the project name, and, if applicable, the date you submitted the application form. The municipality will contact you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions may be updated or modified. This will be done based on incoming requests and new information.

What is KOVA?

KOVA stands for “Small-Scale, Inseparably Linked Activities.” These are small spaces or facilities within a residential development where no one lives. Examples include a store, a community facility, or another type of business located in the same building as the residential units.

Examples of KOVA:

  • meeting space (for art, culture, religion, childcare, hospitality, or sports)
  • health care role (for medical examination, nursing, care, or treatment)
  • industrial use (for processing or storing materials and goods, or for agricultural purposes)
  • office position (for administrative work)
  • lodging (for recreational stays or temporary shelter)
  • sports function (for participating in sports)
  • retail function (for selling materials, goods, or services)
  • other use category (for activities in which staying overnight plays a minor role)
  • charging station (for charging electric vehicles)

When does KOVA apply to my project?

A project qualifies as KOVA if it meets these two conditions:

  1. Housing Takes Priority
    Building housing is the primary objective of your project. The other functions are secondary and are part of the residential building. For example, retail or dining establishments on the ground floor of an apartment complex.
  2. These spaces are part of the same project
    . They are part of your housing development project and are not separate from the homes. You may request up to 7.5% additional capacity under KOVA.

It doesn't matter what the space will be used for. A store, office, or daycare center—they all count, as long as you meet the two conditions.

What are community amenities?

Common amenities are part of a building's residential function. Examples include elevators, central lighting, and shared heating systems.

Examples include:

  • elevators
  • central lighting
  • Types of District Heating
  • shared battery for residential power supply
  • shared solar panels
  • heating of common areas (such as parking garages, the main lobby, bicycle parking areas, and storage rooms)
  • lighting for common areas (such as stairwells, parking garages, the main lobby, bicycle parking areas, and storage rooms)
  • power for data cabinets and technical equipment, such as ventilation
  • barriers, electric fences, and access gates
  • cold storage
  • parking facilities, such as barriers, intercoms, and lighting
  • Underground Waste Transport (OAT): a system that transports waste through underground pipes
  • shared waste management systems
  • sprinkler system
  • ventilation system and fire alarm system
  • Pressure-boosting system: a pump that ensures sufficient water pressure in the building