Stimulate Demand for Electricity
The reduction of CO2 emissions is stalling due to setbacks in implementation, such as delays in offshore wind farms and stagnation in the production of green hydrogen, according to the PBL in the KEV. To meet the 2030 goals, an additional 16 to 24 megatons of emission reduction is needed. “That is a gigantic task,” Van Nieuwenhuizen said. “Therefore, stimulating the demand for renewable electricity is crucial at this stage. Without sufficient demand, producers of sustainable energy cannot make investment decisions, leading to even more delays.”

Expansion of Grid Capacity
In addition, Energy Netherlands urges for a rapid expansion of grid capacity to mitigate the damage caused by grid congestion. “Expanding the grid requires significant societal investments. However, the lack of these investments causes even greater societal costs,” says Van Nieuwenhuizen. To prevent network tariffs from rising sharply, Energy Netherlands calls for part of the costs of grid expansions to be financed from general funds. This way, network tariffs could decrease according to the industry association, allowing electrification to progress.

Clear Path for Green Hydrogen
Energy Netherlands also advocates for policies that accelerate the uptake of green hydrogen. Van Nieuwenhuizen states, “There is policy development underway for hydrogen, but it currently offers insufficient certainty for potential investors. The development of infrastructure for green hydrogen must therefore become a top priority.”

The Sector is Ready
“Without a strong approach and clear guidance, costs for households and businesses will continue to rise while investments in sustainability are delayed. Energy companies are ready to scale up, but the government must create the right conditions. All focus must now be placed on removing obstacles to the implementation of the policy as quickly as possible,” Van Nieuwenhuizen concluded.