Dutch energy companies emitted 12% more carbon dioxide in 2015 because of an increased use of coal, the Netherlands emission authority says.

This compares with a rise of 6% in 2014.

Three new coal-fired power stations came into use last year. Uniper began use of its power plant on the Maasvlakte, with the official opening this month. Essent also opened a new power plant on the Maasvlakte, and a third came into use by GDF-Suez at Eemshaven.

However, the emission authority expects emissions to begin falling with the closure at the end of 2015 of the old coal-fired power stations in Nijmegen, Borsele and Geertruidenberg.

Two further old coal-fired plants on the Maasvlakte are scheduled to close in 2017.