Renewable energy

Renewable energy is generated using natural resources that are constantly replenished and will not run out. These include solar energy, wind power, hydropower, geothermal heat, nuclear energy and biomass. In contrast, resources such as coal, oil and natural gas are not renewable as they are limited in their availability.

In the Netherlands, wind power and solar energy are currently the main sources of renewable energy: wind turbines generated 21 TWh in 2022 (approx. 18% of electricity demand) and solar panels supplied 18 TWh (approx. 15% of electricity demand). Hydropower, nuclear energy and geothermal energy (heat from deeper than 500m) contribute a limited volume to Dutch energy production: in 2022, nuclear energy produced 4 TWh electricity, hydropower generated 0.05 TWh electricity, and geothermal heat produced 1.7 TWh in heat.

In terms of volume, biofuels are the third largest renewable source in the Netherlands. Biofuel energy is energy from organic material, such as vegetable material, residual flows from forestry, and manure. Biofuels are used for electricity (8.5 TWh in 2022) and for heat (7 TWh in 2022).

In the coming decades, the energy system will move completely to renewable sources that create no greenhouse gas emissions. It goes without saying that the development and implementation of renewable energy sources often still require significant efforts, including financial efforts. Especially since non-renewable alternatives are usually cheaper than new sustainable sources. Policies in the EU and in the Netherlands steer firmly toward increasing the share of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.