Dutch energy network operator Enexis has secured a €500m ($570m) financing facility from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support its 2026 electricity grid investment programme.

The funding will be used for the expansion, reinforcement and renewal of power infrastructure across the provinces of Groningen, Overijssel, Drenthe, North Brabant and Limburg.

It comes as part of efforts to address growing pressure on the electricity network caused by the increase in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, as well as rising demand from households, businesses and electric vehicles.

The project covers works involving approximately 2,800km of medium-voltage cables and a further 1,800km of low-voltage cables.

According to Enexis, the programme aims to increase connection capacity for renewable energy and facilitate broader electrification in residential areas, mobility, business operations and industry.

Plans include the installation of new and higher-capacity cables, additional transformer stations and digital solutions intended to enhance network management.

EIB vice-president Robert de Groot said: “By reinforcing the grids in its service areas, many of which face critical capacity constraints, Enexis will boost network resilience and increase the security of the electricity grid. This will allow business, entrepreneurs and households to get the electricity they urgently need.”

Enexis CFO Marjanne van Ittersum said: “The energy transition requires investments on a scale and at a pace we have not seen before. This financing supports our investments in 2026 and strengthens the diversification and flexibility of our funding.

“It enables us to continue working towards a reliable and future-proof electricity grid, providing as many customers as possible with access to energy.”

The funding aligns with the EIB’s priorities, supporting activities that accelerate the energy transition, link additional renewable energy supply to the grid, enable electrification and strengthen the reliability of the energy system.

Enexis operates as a regional distribution system operator, supplying electricity and gas to approximately three million households and companies within its designated Dutch provinces.

In April 2026, EIB and Société Générale completed a €153m financing agreement for the Sand Solar Project, a 137MW photovoltaic plant in Monreale and Gibellina, Sicily.