The Netherlands generated 18% more electricity from renewable resources last year than in 2018, with solar power in particular showing strong growth, according to preliminary figures from national statistics office CBS.

In total, green electricity – wind, solar and biomass – accounted for 18% of the country’s needs last year, compared with 15% in 2018, the CBS said.

Wind turbines accounted for 49% of the total, solar panels 24% and biomass 26%.

Despite accounting for less an a quarter of green energy production, solar panel capacity expanded significantly last year, with solar farms and roof panels generating 40% more electricity in 2019.

Nevertheless, the Netherlands is still unlikely to meet EU targets on total green energy usage.

To meet EU targets, some 14% of energy generated in the Netherlands should come from sustainable sources by the end of this year.  But according to the government’s planning agency PBL, Dutch sustainable energy production will be no more than 11.4% of the total.

Electricity only accounts for a proportion of Dutch energy needs.

The CBS also says it expects energy bills to go down by €170 a year on average in 2020 because changes in the tax on energy and in the cost of supply.