What if the power goes out?
The electricity network in the Netherlands is fairly reliable, but for various reasons it can happen that the power does go out at some point. Depending on the cause, this can sometimes take some time.
In the event of a power outage, a few things need to be checked, so that the outage causes as little inconvenience as possible.
01Problem in the home or in the network outside?
In the event of a power outage, the first thing to check is whether the fault is inside the home or lies in the network outside the home. Check in the fuse box whether any fuses have blown. With switches, this can be seen from one or a few switches that have flipped; with classic fuses, the wire on the inside of the fuse has broken. To be able to see this, the fuse therefore has to be taken out briefly.
Once it is clear that the problem is not inside the home, you can check whether neighbours are also affected by the fault. Sometimes no fuses have blown, but it is still only one home with the fault. The problem then lies in the connection of the house to the network. In most cases, however, it is a regional fault: for example a neighbourhood, district or entire town.
Checking the status with the grid operator
If the fault is not in the electricity network at home, you can check on the website of the grid operator whether the fault is already known to them. Most grid operators indicate on the basis of postcode exactly where a power outage is located. If the fault cannot yet be found on the website, it may be that the grid operator is not yet aware of the power outage. It is then a good idea to report it by telephone (directly or via the national outage number), so that the grid operator can work on a solution as quickly as possible.
If the fault is known to the grid operator, the operator often also provides updates on the status of the repair on the website. Check the grid operator's website regularly to know how long you will be without power. Most power outages are resolved within a few hours, but it can happen that the problem is more complex. In serious cases, a power outage can last longer than a day.
Compensation for a power outage
In the event of a power outage, you can sometimes claim compensation from the grid operator. This is only the case if the fault is not in the high-voltage network and has lasted at least four hours.
In the event of a fault lasting at least four hours and at most eight hours, everyone with a regular connection (3 x 25 Ampère) receives compensation of €35,00. For every subsequent four hours, €20,00 is added to this. If there is a remainder of outage hours that is less than four hours, each connection still receives €20,00 for this remainder.
Example: an outage lasted 17 hours.
First four hours: No compensation
Hours 4 to 8: €35,00
Hours 8 to 12: €20,00
Hours 12 to 16: €20,00
Hours 16 to 17: €20,00
Total: €35,00 + €20,00 + €20,00 + €20,00 = €95,00.
The grid operator processes this compensation within six months. The compensation is usually settled with the annual bill.
Damage due to a power outage
Sometimes considerable damage is suffered as a result of the power outage. How this is dealt with differs greatly from case to case. Although the grid operator is liable for the damage, the grid operator generally does not go further than the standard compensation mentioned earlier. In the event of considerable damage, you can sometimes also claim compensation under your home contents insurance. The maximum amount of cover for damage caused by power outages differs per insurer.
What if the power goes out?
All the consequences of a power outage in the Netherlands. Find out what you can do yourself.
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