Electricity imports reach record levels
Wednesday 22 August 2012
The Netherlands imported a record 8,732 million kilowatts of electricity in the second quarter of this year, with imports in May and June reaching record levels.
The national statistics office CBS says imports from Germany and Norway rose in particular, as production in Dutch gas-fired power stations became more expensive due to rising gas prices.
The import of cheaper foreign energy has kept electricity prices relatively stable in the second quarter, the CBS said.
Germany has profited from the falling cost of coal and government subsidies for solar power, while heavy rainfall allowed Norway to up its production of hydro-electric power in the first half of 2012, the CBS said.
What should we do to bring energy costs down? Have your say using the comment form below.
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NL needs to follow the German example and make long term investments in renewable and environment friendly energy sources such as wind and solar.
By AC | 22 August 2012 3:02 PMSome people think wind turbines are "a blot on the landscape" but what about high-rise apartment blocks; are they not an ugly obstruction of the view?
Just as much as apartment and office blocks stop urban sprawl and loss of land to housing, wind turbines and solar farms are a trade off for survival.
Netherlands should build more wind farms and also build some new nuclear power plants.
By Andre L. | 22 August 2012 4:46 PMThrough experience the best things an individual can do are the following:
By Neo | 22 August 2012 6:39 PM1. Turn down the central heating water temp to 60 degrees as this saves energy and prevents calcium from forming in the taps/seals.
2. Get a good thermostatic douche tap and use as low pressure when showering as possible.
3. Either block the vents above the windows with tape during the winter or replace them with windows that don't have them. (You HAVE to air the house using the window)
4. Buy LED not electronic economy lamps. The electronics don't save money and are tiring on the eyes.
I call out the CBS for misleading... Germany right now is a net importer of electricity ...from France which is nuclear. Something tells me that NL is doing the same and actually buying french nuke electricity.... so much for all the useless wind turbines and the groene energie they keep trying to sell around....
By PK | 23 August 2012 10:24 AM