Gas imports outstripped Dutch produced gas for the first time last year, as the government continues to phase out production in the Groningen fields.

Overall, energy consumption in the Netherlands fell slightly, due in the main to a reduction in the amount of coal used in coal-fired power stations, which fell for the third year in a row.

Gas accounted for 40% of total energy usage, oil just under 40% and coal 11%. The rest came from renewable sources, nuclear power, waste processing and imports.

Last year the amount of gas extracted from under Groningen province fell 16%, the fifth successive year of decline. The government is phasing out the use of Groningen gas because of the earthquakes caused as the ground settles.

The government has also launched an ambitious but controversial plan to phase out the use of gas in the Netherlands. It has already removed the requirement that all new homes be connected to the gas grid.