The volume of greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands rose 5% last year as power stations burned more coal and gas, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.

In addition, households and offices used more gas for heating, the CBS said.

This means the Netherlands is further than ever from meeting its target of a 25% cut on 1990’s emissions by 2020, and carbon dioxide emissions by energy firms are actually 2% up on 1990, the CBS said.

In June 2015, judges in The Hague ruled the Dutch government must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by 2020 when compared with 1990 – in line with international agreements. Total emissions are currently just 12% down on 26 years ago, the CBS said.

The cut can only be done relatively cheaply by closing down two coal-fired power stations, according to a confidential report by research bureau CE Delft which was leaked to the media last week.

Alternatives to shutting down the power stations would be costly and would lead to higher petrol and energy prices and increased subsidies for solar and wind farms, the CE Delft report said.