Insights by Oliver Joy, Product Analyst at Eneve
Three changes, one direction
The January 2027 market release brings three changes to the Dutch energy market. Each one replaces estimates and aggregations with measured, more granular data.
That is good news for the market. Balance responsible parties get the detail they need for sharper forecasts. Suppliers build cleaner customer records, and large gas connections move to hourly measurement.
It also asks for new processes and system changes, with the first deadlines landing in the first half of 2027. This overview is based on analysis by Oliver Joy, Product Analyst at Eneve. Below, we walk through each change: what it is, who it affects and what to prepare.
For balance responsible parties (BRPs). Market topic TS094.
Since May 2026, many connections that used to be allocated on estimated profiles have moved to smart meter allocation (SMA). Allocation volumes are now based on measured smart meter data, which makes them more accurate.
The switch did lose two details that profile allocation used to provide:
BRPs use both details to forecast more accurately and to distribute costs fairly across customer groups.
From 16 January 2027, a new allocation message called SVA-SMA brings this detail back. It arrives as a separate data flow next to the existing aggregated SMA allocation message (N111).
N111 splits volumes by energy direction and origin. SVA-SMA adds the split by customer category and feed-in, in kWh per imbalance settlement period.
There is one important difference with other allocation messages: SVA-SMA only arrives when you ask for it.
A few details matter for planning:
Since 18 May 2026, BRPs have received zipped CSV files for SMA allocation through the Message Box as a temporary measure, opened with a password from the grid operator. The files came weekly at first and every two weeks from 1 July.
This transition measure ends when SVA-SMA goes live on 16 January 2027.
For suppliers. Market topic TS088.
Suppliers arrange the connection and transport agreement (in Dutch: aansluit- en transportovereenkomst, or ATO) between small-connection customers and their grid operator. That agreement needs the right customer name on it.
Under the Energy Regulation (Energieregeling), suppliers now also verify that this name is reliable and complete.
From 1 January 2027, suppliers verify the name of each small-connection customer within 90 days of the start of supply. They compare the registered name with:
Where they find an error, they correct it. Where they can't establish the right name, they notify the grid operator.
Two outcomes need no correction. The other three each start a specific process, from a quick fix to a notification to the grid operator.
|
Obligation |
What it does |
When |
|---|---|---|
|
Individual notification of name uncertainty |
Tells the grid operator that the supplier could not verify a specific customer's name |
As soon as possible once the name can't be verified, after at least two contact attempts |
|
Quarterly name verification report |
Gives the grid operator aggregated statistics on all name checks |
Within six weeks of each quarter end |
The individual notification runs through the existing "change connected party details" message, introduced in the May 2026 release. It gets one new optional field, NameCertaintyValidationResult, which only takes the value "No". When the field is absent, the check is still running or the supplier is certain of the name.
One practical note: the notification only works for the current supplier of the primary allocation point. If you spot a problem before supply starts, wait until your registration appears in the connections register.
The quarterly report covers:
Suppliers can add their own observations, such as common reasons for failed checks or unusual cases. The first report covers 1 January to 31 March 2027 and is due within six weeks of 31 March 2027.
For metering responsible parties, and relevant for suppliers of large gas customers. Market topic TS073.
Under the new Energy Act (Energiewet), every large gas connection in category G2C needs a meter with communication functionality by 2027.
G2C connections are large gas connections that still rely on profile-based estimates instead of real-time measurement. In December 2025, around 22,697 connections fell into this category.
Every G2C connection must:
In practice, this ends the use of profile meters for large gas connections.
This change is about the meters. The allocation methodology for these connections stays as it is for now.
Large gas connections in category G2C need remotely read meters by 2027. The market documentation gives no exact date for that switch, so it sits outside this timeline.
The first changes go live in January 2027, and the first quarterly supplier report is due by mid-May. Starting now leaves time to build, test and automate before the deadlines arrive.
Each change touches your data flows, customer processes or systems in a different way. Want to know what they mean for your setup? Our market experts are happy to walk you through it. Get in touch.