TenneT selects Orbital Eye to monitor major Dutch electricity grid expansion project from space.
Satellite technology supports construction oversight of the Rilland–Tilburg electricity highway as European grid operators face mounting investment demands and operational challenges.
Delft, November 9, 2026 – Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has selected satellite monitoring specialist Orbital Eye to help oversee construction of the Rilland–Tilburg high-voltage connection, one of the Netherlands' major electricity infrastructure projects. Using Orbital Eye's COSMIC-EYE technology, TenneT can monitor construction activities along the extensive corridor remotely, improving visibility of project progress while making more efficient use of inspection resources.
The Rilland–Tilburg connection, involving 263 electricity pylons, is part of TenneT's programme to strengthen the Dutch electricity grid and address growing network congestion. The project illustrates the scale and complexity of the investments required to accommodate increasing electricity demand, industrial electrification and the energy transition.
Managing the challenge of Europe's grid expansion
Across Europe, electricity network operators face the challenge of expanding and modernising their infrastructure at an unprecedented pace. The European Commission estimates that approximately €1,200 billion in electricity grid investment will be needed by 2040. At the same time, operators face increasing pressure on construction capacity, technical expertise and operational resources.
Projects such as Rilland–Tilburg involve numerous contractors working simultaneously across extensive geographical areas. Monitoring construction progress, verifying activities and coordinating field inspections require substantial time and resources.
To address these challenges, TenneT is deploying Orbital Eye's COSMIC-EYE satellite monitoring platform. The system provides weekly reports on construction activities along the corridor, including excavation work, access roads, construction platforms, machinery and material storage.
By combining satellite imagery with advanced data analysis, COSMIC-EYE enables TenneT's project teams to follow developments remotely and identify locations requiring closer inspection. This complements existing supervision methods, helping to direct field personnel towards activities that need attention rather than relying solely on routine site visits.
Proven technology enters a growing market
For Orbital Eye, the TenneT contract marks another step in its expansion from pipeline infrastructure monitoring into the electricity sector. Founded in Delft in 2012, the company has developed its COSMIC-EYE platform into an operational monitoring solution used by critical infrastructure operators internationally, including major electricity transmission operators in France and Germany. These projects demonstrate how satellite monitoring can support both the construction of new electricity infrastructure and the protection and maintenance of existing networks.
Arnaud van den Berg, Chief Commercial Officer at Orbital Eye, says:
"Europe's electricity grid expansion is creating an enormous operational challenge. Operators must supervise more construction activity across increasingly extensive networks, often with limited resources. Satellite technology offers a proven and scalable way to maintain oversight without a corresponding increase in field inspections. Our collaboration with TenneT demonstrates how technology developed for monitoring critical infrastructure can contribute to more efficient delivery of major electricity projects."
As European grid investment accelerates, Orbital Eye sees growing opportunities for satellite-based monitoring throughout the infrastructure lifecycle, from construction and maintenance to operational network protection.