Energy in the Netherlands describes

energy Energy () is the physical quantity, quantitative physical property, property that is transferred to a physical body, body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of Work (thermodynamics), work and in the form of heat and l ...

and

electricity Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter possessing an electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by Maxwel ...

production, consumption and import in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. 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

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 stove An electric stove, electric cooker or electric range is a stove with an integrated electrical heating device to cook and bake. Electric stoves became popular as replacements for solid-fuel (wood or coal) stoves which required more labor to op ...

s are expected to replace gas stoves.

District heating District heating (also known as heat networks) is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location through a system of insulated pipes for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heater, space heating and w ...

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 Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of substances contained in waste materials. Industrial plants for waste incineration are commonly referred to as waste-to-energy facilities. Incineration and other high ...

. New sources are expected to include

geothermal energy Geothermal energy is thermal energy extracted from the crust (geology), crust. It combines energy from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay. Geothermal energy has been exploited as a source of heat and/or electric power for m ...

, surface waters, and

data center A data center is a building, a dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Since IT operations are crucial for busines ...

s. In the Netherlands, 78% of enterprises have invested in reducing

carbon emissions Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide (), from burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, oil, and natural gas, is the main cause of climate chan ...

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).

Types of Energy Contracts

There are typically three types of energy contracts available in the Netherlands: * Fixed Energy Contract (vast energiecontract): This contract is for a fixed amount of time (one to five years), allowing consumers to lock in their energy rate. While a fixed rate protects against price increases, it also means consumers do not benefit from price drops. Early cancellation typically incurs a fee. * Non-Fixed Energy Contract (variabel energiecontract): This contract is for an indefinite period and can usually be cancelled monthly. Rates are generally fixed for six months but can be adjusted more frequently during energy crises. Consumers may benefit from price drops but are also exposed to price increases. * Dynamic Energy Contract (dynamisch energiecontract / flexible energiecontract): Similar to a non-fixed contract, this type can be cancelled monthly. However, rates vary hourly based on demand and supply. Consumers can save by using energy when prices are low but are also exposed to hourly price increases.

Energy sources

Nuclear

Borssele Borssele is a village in the Netherlands, Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Borsele, and lies about 12 km east of Vlissingen. The municipality name is spelled with a single ''s'' while the name of the town is spe ...

is the only nuclear power station in the Netherlands and produces around 4 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per annum, around 3.3% 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

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.

References

External links

Flowdiagram of Energy in the Netherlands

Energy Information Platform
{{DEFAULTSORT:Netherlands