The focus in the 2025 budget on sustainability, energy security, and affordability provides a solid foundation for the further rollout of the energy transition, according to Energie-Nederland. In this context, Energie-Nederland welcomes the fact that grid congestion has been given a prominent place on the political agenda. “The limitations of the electricity grid currently pose a serious obstacle to the energy transition and economic growth,” says Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, chair of Energie-Nederland.  

Grid Congestion “We are pleased that the government, in the budget, emphasizes the need for a proactive government role in expanding the energy infrastructure to resolve congestion issues as quickly as possible. For Energie-Nederland, this must now be the top priority,” says Van Nieuwenhuizen. Affordability Energie-Nederland is positive about the explicit attention in the budget to the affordability of high network tariffs for both businesses and consumers. The industry organization supports the government’s intention to investigate options to lower these high tariffs. Climate Goals “We see a good balance in the government’s plans between sustainability, energy security, and affordability. Without energy security and affordable energy, public support for the energy transition will quickly come under pressure,” says Van Nieuwenhuizen. “We are pleased that the government emphasizes in the budget that the climate goals remain central. These sustainable ambitions not only benefit the environment and climate but also offer economic opportunities and help reduce the Netherlands’ dependence on foreign energy sources.” Predictable Government Energie-Nederland also welcomes the focus on reducing regulatory pressure. The energy sector and the business community benefit from clear and consistent policies to plan investments for the energy transition. Energie-Nederland supports the government’s focus on implementing plans to meet the climate goals. Competitive Position The government wants the Netherlands to return to the top five countries with the best competitive positions. To achieve these ambitions, a level playing field in Europe is essential. Energie-Nederland expects the government to continue considering the competitive position of internationally operating energy-intensive companies in its policy choices. Energie-Nederland is pleased to see that the government aims to maintain an attractive business climate. Net Metering Like the government, Energie-Nederland believes that the net metering scheme no longer fits the current phase of the energy transition. Energie-Nederland sees promoting additional sustainability measures that increase the self-consumption of self-generated solar power as the best way to ensure the continued growth of solar panel installations in the Netherlands. A recent study by CE Delft and TNO shows that increasing the percentage of ‘self-consumption’ is financially advantageous for solar panels. “If self-consumption can be significantly increased, the benefits are comparable to those of net metering,” the study states. After 2025 Energie-Nederland emphasizes the importance of consistent long-term policy. Van Nieuwenhuizen: “Even after 2025, it will remain crucial for the government to commit to stable, predictable, and investment-friendly policies, so that the Netherlands can achieve its sustainable ambitions without compromising economic growth, energy security, or affordability. Energie-Nederland looks forward to continuing to contribute to the implementation of these plans. We look forward to further collaboration to achieve these goals.”