News item | 15-12-2025 | 12:15
The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth is starting again today with the campaign to make Dutch people aware of the congestion on the power grid. We use more and more electricity at the same time, which can cause the power grid to become overloaded. The call is to use less electricity between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM – the busiest hours of the day.
In this time block, a lot of electricity consumption occurs because people come home, cook, switch on appliances and charge their electric cars. Although grid operators will expand the power grid significantly in the coming years, it remains important to reduce the load on the power grid, especially during these peak hours. For example, by turning on the washing machine later, postponing charging an electric car or scheduling the turning on of appliances with a timer.
Why this call?
The power grid is reaching its limits in more and more places. This is because we are using more and more electricity at the same time and producing it at different times (with solar panels). The expansion of the power grid – such as the installation of thicker cables and additional transformer stations – is in full swing, but takes time. To prevent disruptions and maintain system reliability, we need to reduce pressure on the power grid when it is most needed. That is why we call for less electricity to be used between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., because this is how we combat the power peak.
Although many households do not notice this at home, the consequences are already visible in society. Thousands of companies are on waiting lists for heavier connections, new homes sometimes cannot yet be connected and sustainability plans are delayed. This puts a brake on economic growth and the energy transition in the Netherlands.
Use electricity smarter
Expanding the power grid costs a lot of money, time and space, so it is crucial that we use the available space more intelligently. Outside peak hours there is often sufficient capacity available. By using electricity at this time, the electricity grid is better balanced. Households with solar panels can use their own sustainable energy immediately when the sun shines. But even without panels, it helps to use devices when things are quieter.
The call is to use less electricity between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Many devices, such as heat pumps or charging stations, can easily be turned on less loudly or earlier or later in the day. And use during these hours is no problem for lighting, laptops, televisions and cooking, as they do not require much power and can therefore simply be switched on.
Campaign Also switch the switch
The Also Turn the Switch campaign runs from December 15, 2025 to the end of January 2026 and consists of TV and radio commercials, online videos, outdoor advertising and social content. Read more information and practical tips onzetookdeknopom.nl.