Energy in the Netherlands explained

Energy in the Netherlands describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in the Netherlands. Electricity sector in the Netherlands is the main article of electricity in the Netherlands.

In 2020 the Netherlands was reliant on fossil fuel for energy needs, especially natural gas, however the plan is to bring renewable power up to 70% of the electricity needs of the Netherlands by 2030.

Subsidies and declining costs for renewables (primarily wind and solar) have boosted their use in the Netherlands; renewable energy provided 40% of Dutch electricity production in 2022, up from 12% in 2012 and 4% in 2002.[1]

Energy statistics

Production capacities for electricity
(billion kWh)!Type!!Amount
Fossil fuel259.72
Wind power49.81
Biomass32.32
Solar25.86
Nuclear12.55
Total381.26
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Electricity
(billion kWh)!Category!!Amount
Consumption109.80
Production117.52
Import19.77
Export22.43
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Consumption
44.75
Produce32.86
Import55.77
Export42.83
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Consumption
334,050,000
Production27,780,000
Import400,220,000
Export3,210,000

CO2 emissions:
130.32 million tons

Energy plans

The Netherlands has set a target of 70% of electricity from renewable sources (mainly solar and wind power) by 2030.

Transition away from natural gas

To reduce its greenhouse emissions, the government of the Netherlands is subsidizing a transition away from natural gas for all homes in the country by 2050. In Amsterdam, no new residential gas accounts are allowed as of July 1, 2018, and all homes in the city are expected to be converted by 2040.[2] Electric stoves are expected to replace gas stoves.

District heating is expected to replace natural gas for the heating of buildings. The Amsterdam area is already supplied to some degree with heat from waste incineration. New sources are expected to include geothermal energy, surface waters, and data centers.[3]

In the Netherlands, 78% of enterprises have invested in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of weather disasters as of 2023. Six out of ten (60%) plan to invest in these areas during the next three years. The numbers for 'already invested' and 'intend to invest' above the EU average (56% and 54%, respectively).[4]

Types of Energy Contracts

There are typically three types of energy contracts available in the Netherlands:[5]

Energy sources

Nuclear

See main article: Nuclear power in the Netherlands.

Borssele is the only nuclear power station in the Netherlands and produces around 4 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per annum, around 10% of electricity used in the Netherlands.[6]

Fossil fuels

Coal

The Netherlands has two coal fired power stations, at Eemshaven and Maasvlakte. They are scheduled to close by 2030.[7]

Natural Gas

The last of the fourteen natural gas power stations were commissioned in 2013. In 2020, 64.2% of the power generated in the Netherlands came from gas-fired thermal power.[7]

Renewables

See main article: Renewable energy in the Netherlands.

Renewable energy includes wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy sources.

Wind power

See main article: Wind power in the Netherlands.

In December 2020 the Netherlands had 2,606 wind turbines, they generated 15.3 billion kWh.[8]

By December 2023 the Netherlands will have 4.7 GW of offshore wind farm capacity, which will provide 15.8% of total current electricity demand in the Netherlands.[9]

Solar power

See main article: Solar power in the Netherlands.

In 2022 the Netherlands generated 14 per cent of its electricity from solar farms.[10]

Biomass

Biomass provides around 8% of electricity capacity

Hydroelectric

See main article: Hydroelectricity in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has under 40 MW hydroelectric power capacity.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Share of electricity production from renewables: Netherlands. Our World In Data. 2023. 2023-12-24.
  2. Web site: Van der Pekbuurt gaat als eerste Amsterdamse wijk van het aardgas af . 1 Oct 2018 . nl.
  3. Web site: Amsterdam stimuleert ontwikkeling duurzame warmtenetten . 5 Oct 2018 . nl . 18 October 2018 . 18 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043230/https://www.duurzaambedrijfsleven.nl/energie/30093/warmtenetten-amsterdam . dead .
  4. Book: Bank, European Investment . EIB Investment Survey 2023 - Netherlands overview . 2024-01-31 . European Investment Bank . 978-92-861-5684-7 . EN.
  5. Web site: Energy (electricity and gas) . IamExpat . 28 June 2024.
  6. Web site: Nuclear energy . 12 August 2023.
  7. Web site: The Netherlands on track to complete coal power phase-out by 2030 . 20 October 2021.
  8. Web site: How many wind turbines in the Netherlands? . 12 August 2023.
  9. Web site: The Netherlands on track with approach to offshore wind energy . 1 May 2023.
  10. Web site: Floating solar and trash mountains: How the Netherlands became Europe’s solar power leader . 13 March 2023.