Netbeheerders

Netbeheerders, in Dutch usage, are entities that own and operate public networks for essential services and ensure their safe, reliable, and accessible delivery to end users. Their core tasks include maintaining and expanding the infrastructure, guaranteeing safety and reliability, and providing non-discriminatory access to the network for customers, producers, and suppliers. They coordinate connections, capacity planning, fault management, and data handling related to the network.

In the Netherlands, netbeheerders primarily refer to the distribution system operators (DSOs) for electricity and gas. They own the local grid and related metering infrastructure, connect new households and businesses, install meters, and manage meter data in collaboration with energy suppliers. They also play a key role in safety, quality standards, and outage response. The activities of netbeheerders are regulated to ensure fair access and predictable pricing.

Regulation and oversight are conducted by authorities such as the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the government. Netbeheerders must publish multi-year plans for investments and maintenance and set terms for network access. Tariffs and conditions are designed to be transparent and non-discriminatory, with oversight to prevent market distortion and ensure reliability of supply.

Netbeheerders increasingly engage in coordination with the energy transition, including the integration of decentralised generation (prosumers), energy storage, demand-side management, and the charging of electric vehicles. They must reinforce and adapt the grid to accommodate growing capacity while maintaining safety and service continuity.

Examples of Dutch netbeheerders include Liander, Enexis Netbeheer and Stedin Netbeheer. The term can also apply more broadly to network operators in other sectors, such as water or telecom.