The Netherlands will produce a surplus of 1.7 gigawatts of electricity this year and that figure is set to grow as more power stations come on stream, the national grid company Tennet said on Thursday.

In particular, there may be the potential to export surplus power without threatening domestic supplies between 2013 and 2016, Tennet says in a new report.
The Netherlands already exports some power but imports more, news agency ANP says. Last year, the country had a shortfall of 0.2 gigawatts but that is set to change into a surplus of nearly 16 gigawatts in seven years time.
In total, there are plans on the table to increase power station energy production by some 18.5 gigawatts by 2016. Wind power and surplus energy from the greenhouse sector will also boost supplies. A gigawatt is equal to one billion watts
Tennet is already developing new cable links with Germany, Britain, Denmark and Norway, ANP says.