Energy consumption lower in 2009

In 2009, energy consumption in the Netherlands was more than 2 percent down on the preceding year. The reduction was realised in the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter of last year, energy consumption grew by 3 percent.

Energy consumption 2009

Crude oil consumption down in transport sector

Crude oil consumption by the transport sector was more than 3 percent lower in 2009 than in 2008. Consumption of petroleum raw materials and products in manufacturing industry was almost the same as in 2008. After the low consumption volume recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008, the consumption level rose again in 2009, but is as yet not back at the level of early 2008. In industry, crude oil is used for the manufacture of petroleum-based plastics.

Crude oil consumption in manufacturing industry

Natural gas consumption marginally up

The volume of natural gas used in 2009 was nearly 1 percent higher than in the previous year. Households, agriculture and the services sector used 3 percent more. The first and last months of 2009 were colder than the corresponding periods in 2008. More natural gas was used for the heating of residential and non-residential buildings.

Power stations used nearly 5 percent more natural gas, because more electricity was generated. Natural gas consumption in manufacturing industry, on the other hand, was nearly 7 percent down on 2008. This is predominantly caused by a consumption reduction in the first six months of 2009 relative to the previous year.

Natural gas consumption

Lower electricity and coal consumption

Coal consumption dropped by nearly 9 percent in the Netherlands. Coal consumption declined markedly in the iron and steel industry. Lastly, electricity consumption fell by nearly 6 percent. Yet, more electricity was generated in 2009, because the amount of imported electricity was smaller.

Leendert Pleijsier