Generation of renewable energy slackening

In 2003 a total of 1.5 percent of the entire Dutch energy supply was generated by domestic renewable energy sources, just about the same as in 2002.

Share of renewable energy to domestic energy supply

Contribution wind energy increasing

Wind energy contributes more than 20 percent to the production of renewable energy in the Netherlands. Green electricity generated by wind turbines grew by 43 percent last year although there was not much wind. The sharp increase is entirely due to the erection of a large number of high-capacity wind turbines. Capacity increased by almost a third.

Domestic renewable energy sources

Biomass combustion in power stations substantially lower

Last year the combustion of biomass in power stations fell substantially by 26 percent. Various problems underlie this situation: the system of subsidy allocation changed in the course of 2003, a higher cost price as well as technical and environmental legislation problems.

Drought slows down generation of renewable energy from water and biogas

Other renewable energy sources contributed less than 20 percent. Less hydroelectric power was generated due to a prolonged period of drought in 2003. The reduced production of biogas is partly due to a lower production of biogas by waste water purification plants because, on account of the dry weather in 2003, there was a low supply of slit form rainwater. The energy generated by heat pumps increased by 30 percent. Solar energy only makes a modest contribution to the total amount of renewable energy.

Imports

Green electricity is mainly imported from other countries. The current level, though still high, dwindled in 2003. Tax relief measures regarding imported green electricity were reversed. Including imports, 12 percent of total electricity use in the Netherlands is generated by renewable sources. Domestic renewable energy with 3.3 percent only makes a scant contribution to total electricity use.

Contribution renewable electricity to total electricity use

Reinoud Segers and Dao Nguyen