The energy transition as a social phenomenon: A case study within network operator TenneT

The Dutch Climate Agreement reflects the ambition to shift to the use of renewably generated electricity by the year 2050. Pursuing this objective, a diverse range of stakeholders like energy companies, governmental organizations and network operators are mobilized for action to deliver their specific contribution. These contributions, the actions by stakeholders, are understood as a result of the plan; this equates to a plan-based understanding of the energy transition. The electricity networks need to be strengthened and extended in the years to come to facilitate the energy transition. For that reason, realizing investment projects is considered as part of the specific contribution to the energy transition network operators have to deliver.

Drawing on an in-depth case study within network operator TenneT, the current chapter foregrounds the practices by which TenneT professionals collectively give rise to the energy transition. These practices move beyond a plan-based understanding of the energy transition. The chapter demonstrates that the practices are open-ended in nature, affecting multiple stakeholders beyond the boundaries of the TenneT organization. Ultimately, the energy transition happens by the simultaneous enactment of a manifold of practices within the organizational contexts of network operators like TenneT and many other stakeholders as well.