The production of electricity from renewable sources increased by 2022 percent in the second quarter of 25 compared to a year earlier. The production of electricity from coal increased by 40 percent. At the same time, 19 percent less electricity came from natural gas. Net electricity production in the second quarter was 28,2 billion kWh, 4,3 percent more than in the second quarter of 2021. Statistics Netherlands reports this based on new figures.
In the second quarter of 2022, 3,0 billion kWh of electricity was produced from coal, 0,9 billion kWh more than in the comparable period last year. The production of electricity from renewable sources increased by 25 percent to 12,5 billion kWh. Compared to the same quarter five years earlier, production has more than tripled. In particular, production from solar (+40 percent) and wind (+25 percent) showed an increase in the second quarter compared to last year.
Both the sunny weather and the increase in the installed capacity of solar panels led to growth in electricity production from solar energy in the second quarter. Wind production mainly shows an increase on land. This is due to both an increase in the installed capacity on land and the favorable weather conditions for wind energy during the last quarter.
Decrease in electricity production from natural gas
Electricity production from natural gas fell by 2022 percent to 19 billion kWh during the second quarter of 11 compared to a year earlier. This applies to both natural gas-fired power stations and, among other things, gas engines in greenhouse horticulture. Electricity production from nuclear energy accounts for 3 percent of total production.
Electricity production in surrounding countries
While more electricity was produced in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2022, production in France fell by 15 percent to 103 billion kWh, partly due to delays in maintenance of nuclear power stations. In 2021, France still accounted for 19 percent of the European Union's total electricity production. In addition to the increased price of both natural gas and CO2, the scarcity due to lower French nuclear electricity production also influences a higher electricity price.
Like the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have produced less electricity with gas, mainly as a result of high prices. But while coal production increased in the Netherlands, it fell by 24 percent in France.
Electricity production from the sun has grown faster in the Netherlands than in neighboring countries. In Belgium and Germany, this increased by 2021 percent and 29 percent compared to the second quarter of 13. While electricity production from wind increased in the Netherlands, there was a decrease in France.
More exports and less imports of electricity
Electricity exports increased by 2022 percent to 17 billion kWh in the second quarter of 5,1 compared to the same period last year. In contrast to the second quarter of 2021, there will be net exports again in the second quarter of this year.
Electricity imports fell by -16 percent to 4,4 billion kWh in the second quarter. In particular, less came from Belgium and Norway.
Source: CBS.nl
