Country Overview
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is bordered by Germany, Belgium, and the North Sea. The population of the Netherlands is approximately 17.63 million people.
In 2022, the Netherland’s economy was ranked 18th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s economy is dependent on the export of refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicaments, photo lab equipment, computers, live plants, cut flowers, and recreational boats.
Environmental Policies
In 2009, the Netherlands and other members of the European Union (EU) committed to the Renewable Energy Directive, which requires each country to use renewable energy for 20% of its total energy needs by 2020 and 27% by 2030.
In 2016, the Netherlands and other members the EU signed the Paris Climate Agreement. The EU committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 100% of the people in the Netherlands had access to electricity. In 2022, utilities used renewable energy (39.9%), natural gas (39.6%), coal (12.1%), refined petroleum (5.0%), and nuclear energy (3.4%) to generate electricity in the Netherlands. Wind, and solar are dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in the Netherlands
Recent renewable energy projects in the Netherlands include:
- 759 MW Offshore Wind Project – In June 2023, European consortium, CrossWind commissioned the Hollandse Kust offshore wind project, which is located approximately 11 miles off the west coast of the Netherlands.
- 752 MW Offshore Wind Projects – In November 2020, Danish power company, Ørsted commissioned the Borssele 1 and Borssele 2 offshore wind projects. The projects are located approximately 14 miles off the coast of the Zeeland Province.
- 50 MW Solar + Hydrogen Project – In March 2022, German renewable energy company, Baywa re is completed construction on the SinneWetterstof Hydrogen pilot project in the Friesland Province.
- 50 MW Floating Solar Project – Holland’s energy cooperatives, Zeeuwind and Deltawindare continuing work on a utility scale solar project off the coast of the Zeeland Province. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 42 MW Floating Solar Project – In July 2021, Baywa re commissioned the Sellingen floating solar project on a lake in the northern region of the country.
- 29 MW Floating Solar Project – In January 2021, Baywa re commissioned the Nij Beets floating solar project in the Friesland Province.
Conclusions
The Netherlands imports fossil fuels (crude oil, coal, and natural gas) for power generation, heating, and transportation. In 2021, the Netherlands imported U.S. $48.4 Billion of crude oil, U.S. $40 Billion of refined petroleum, and U.S. $5.37 Billion of coal tar oil.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
All members of the European Union now know not to become dependent on Russian fossil fuel imports. The Netherlands is now accelerating renewable energy development to counter volatile fossil fuels prices.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.