Dutch MPs on Thursday voted in favour of a motion calling on the government to work with the energy sector to close down all 11 of the country’s coal-fired power stations.

The ruling Labour party sided with opposition parties to push forward the plan, which is opposed by coalition partner VVD.

Some 20% of Dutch energy is generated using coal, which is a major producer of greenhouse gases.

Energy company Eneco and environmental organisations also want coal-fired power stations closed down because they are expensive and, they say, there are better uses for government subsidies.

Five older Dutch coal-fired power stations are due to be shut by the end of the year.

Earlier this week a group of 64 professors wrote an open letter urging the government to close all the country’s coal-fired power stations by 2020.

The Netherlands is one of the worst performers in Europe in terms of reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy efficiency, according to a report last month from the European Environmental Agency.