Regeling gebiedsinvesteringen hoogspanning op land 220/380 kV Grant

About this grant

The Regeling gebiedsinvesteringen hoogspanning op land 220/380 kV (GHL-220/380 kV) is a specific grant (specifieke uitkering) from the Dutch government, administered by RVO on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, for municipalities that host a new or substantially expanded high-voltage project at 220 or 380 kV on land. It addresses the impact on quality of life for people living directly around such projects. The funding is for area investments that improve the living environment of direct residents and other stakeholders near the high-voltage project. Examples include green spaces such as parks, walking and cycling paths, play and sports facilities, community meeting places such as a village or neighbourhood hall, and measures to make directly surrounding homes more sustainable. Municipalities must run a participation process with nearby residents, including at minimum those living within 200 metres of the project, and submit a participation plan with the application. Results from this process guide the choice of investments, which are then recorded in a spending plan approved by the municipal council. The municipality must comply with state aid rules and report annually through the SiSa system. Amounts are capped per project type: up to EUR 6,000,000 for a new 220/380 kV station, up to EUR 3,000,000 for an expansion of an existing station, and up to EUR 150,000 per kilometre of new overhead line. Payment is 20% advance after approval and 80% after submission of the participation report, spending plan and council decision. Projects must be on the designated list, which is updated annually. The programme runs from 15 October 2026 to 31 March 2031 with a total budget of EUR 197,000,000.

Eligibility

Only municipalities (gemeenten) with a high-voltage project on the designated list under this scheme may apply. The project must be a new 220/380 kV station, an expansion of an existing station that at least doubles in size or grows by at least 5 hectares, or a new overhead line of at least 1 kilometre. The project must affect the living quality of direct residents, and projects located wholly on an industrial or business estate are excluded. The underlying decision (projectbesluit, omgevingsplanwijziging, BOPA or instructiebesluit) must have been taken between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2030 and must place the project within the municipality; it does not need to be irrevocable. Where a project spans several municipalities, each files its own application for its share. Applicants must log in with eHerkenning level 3 and the RVO services authorisation.

How it's scored

Applications are processed in order of receipt and must be complete before assessment. The assessment takes up to 8 weeks, extendable once by up to 8 weeks. The amount of the grant depends on the type of high-voltage project and its impact on residents' quality of life, as well as the number of eligible projects competing for the available budget. No numerical scoring weights or panel composition are stated.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a municipality (gemeente) pursuing area investments tied to new or expanded 220/380 kV high-voltage projects
• ✓Investments must improve the living environment for direct residents and other stakeholders around the grid project
• ✓Applications are accepted from 15 October 2026 through 31 March 2031

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) offer?

Regeling gebiedsinvesteringen hoogspanning op land 220/380 kV offers $6.6M.

When is the Regeling gebiedsinvesteringen hoogspanning op land 220/380 kV deadline?

Applications close 31 Mar 2031 15:00.

Who can apply for Regeling gebiedsinvesteringen hoogspanning op land 220/380 kV?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Grid modernisation covers transmission, distribution, smart meters, interconnectors and the software that balances a network with more variable supply. Funding comes as innovation calls for network operators and suppliers as well as large public tenders for equipment and works. Applicants are usually asked to show technical readiness and experience working with regulated network companies.