Dutch miss EU targets, but did use more renewable energy last year

Renewable energy accounted for 11% of total energy usage in the Netherlands last year, up from 8.8% in 2019, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Under EU treaties, 14% of the energy used in the Netherlands last year should have come from renewable sources – whether generated domestically or bought in from abroad.

The increase was largely due to greater solar and wind energy capacity, but there was also an increase in the use of biomass, which many argue should no longer be classified as green.

The amount of wind energy used in the Netherlands rose 29%, due mainly to the increase in capacity and the completion of  a major new wind farm at sea off the coast of Zeeland. Sun energy usage was up 47%, again due to an increase in capacity.

Biomass remains the biggest source of renewable energy – accounting for 54% of total production last year.

Overall, Dutch households and industry used less energy last year than in 2019, as the coronavirus pandemic reduced traffic volumes and cut fuel consumption for transport.