Energy in the Netherlands

Development of carbon dioxide emissions

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.

Energy statistics

2020 energy statistics
Production capacities for electricity
(billion kWh)
Type Amount
Fossil fuel 259.72
Wind power 49.81
Biomass 32.32
Solar 25.86
Nuclear 12.55
Total 381.26
     
Electricity
(billion kWh)
Category Amount
Consumption 109.80
Production 117.52
Import 19.77
Export 22.43
     
Natural Gas
(billion m3)
Consumption 44.75
Produce 32.86
Import 55.77
Export 42.83
     
Crude Oil
(barrels per day)
Consumption 334,050,000
Production 27,780,000
Import 400,220,000
Export 3,210,000

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. 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.

Energy sources

Nuclear

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.

Fossil fuels

Coal

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

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.

Renewables

Years in which the last three renewable power levels achieved
Achievement Year Achievement Year Achievement Year
5% 2014 10% 2020 15% not achieved

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

Wind power

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

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.

Solar power

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

Biomass

Biomass provides around 8% of electricity capacity

Hydroelectric

The Netherlands has under 40 MW hydroelectric power capacity.

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-13 00:16 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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