Over half of electricity production now comes from renewable sources

Total electricity production increased by 1 percent in the first half of 2024, to 60.5 billion kWh. And, for the first time, more electricity was produced from renewable sources (53 percent) than from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, electricity consumption increased by 5 percent to 55.8 billion kWh in the same period. This was slightly below the pre-pandemic level.

Electricity production from wind increases by a third

Electricity production from wind increased to 17.4 billion kWh in the first half of 2024 - an increase of 4.4 billion kWh. More than two-thirds of that increase was attributable to offshore wind. The main cause of the increase in electricity generated from wind was the increase in installed capacity, both offshore and onshore. The new offshore wind farms of Hollandse Kust Zuid (I-IV) and Hollandse Kust Noord (V) made a particularly significant positive contribution to offshore wind capacity. Onshore capacity also expanded, particularly in Flevoland, where last year several older, smaller wind turbines were replaced with larger, newer turbines capable of generating more power. In the province of Flevoland alone, capacity increased by 0.4 GW in 2023. Nationwide, wind capacity increased by 2.0 GW in 2023 (an extra 0.6 GW for onshore wind, and an extra 1.4 GW for offshore wind).

Solar electricity production increased to 11.7 billion kWh, an increase of 0.8 billion kWh. This was due to the addition of more capacity: fewer hours of sunshine were actually received than in the first half of 2023.

Electricity production from biomass fell by 16 percent, mainly due to less co-firing in coal-fired power plants in the first half of 2024. Coal-fired power plants also spent less time in operation.

Electricity production from coal fell by nearly 40 percent

Electricity production from coal fell to 3.9 billion kWh. The more cheaper electricity from solar and wind has become available, the less competitive coal-fired power plants have become.

Electricity production from natural gas has also fallen, to 21.3 billion kWh, particularly production at power stations, even though the price of natural gas fell in 2024 (Energy prices), as well as the prices paid for greenhouse gas emissions.

The Netherlands remains a net exporter of electricity

Electricity imports were up by 4 percent in the first half of 2024, and exports fell by 10 percent. Overall, electricity exports exceeded electricity imports by 2.3 billion kWh during this period. Exports to Belgium (9 percent) and Germany (7 percent) fell particularly sharply, despite lower electricity production in those countries. A sharp increase in electricity production at France’s nuclear power plants and hydropower plants meant that Belgium and Germany imported more electricity from France, rather than from the Netherlands.