The Netherlands wants to be climate neutral by 2050. This has major consequences for the future energy system. It changes how we generate, transport, store and use energy. And offers economic opportunities and room for new revenue models. In order to have a sustainable energy system in 2050, we must start planning and preparing for this now. The choices we make in the coming years will determine 2040 and beyond. Climate and energy minister Jetten today presented the strategy, guiding choices and plan for the space required for the 2050 energy system on behalf of the cabinet with the National Energy System Plan and Energy Main Structure Program.
With the National Energy System Plan (NPE), the government is already mapping out what the energy system of the future should look like and what it will take to get there. We do not do this project by project or energy source by energy source, but we look at what is needed in 2050 and then reason back to today. The government is committed to a more guiding role for the central government in the areas of energy supply and infrastructure, space, distribution and savings.
Guiding choices for the energy system of the future
We are moving from an energy system that relied almost entirely on coal, oil, and gas to a highly diverse system with virtually only renewable sources. A primary choice the Cabinet is making is to maximize energy supply by stimulating as much domestic production and import as possible, and by building the necessary infrastructure as quickly as possible. Therefore, in the future, the government will base its plans on scenarios with the highest demand and align policy and investments accordingly. We are not expanding infrastructure only when there is sufficient demand, but rather expanding it systematically.
Sustainable energy and energy infrastructure will remain scarce in the coming years because supply and demand do not always keep pace. Therefore, the Cabinet has chosen to continue focusing strongly on energy conservation . After all, energy that we do not use does not need to be generated, paid for, imported, stored, or transported. As of July 1, the energy conservation obligation has been tightened , and the Cabinet is developing conservation targets per sector.
The government focuses as much as possible on preventing scarcity and deploying scarce energy in places where there is no good or affordable alternative . For instance, hydrogen is primarily used to make industry and (heavy) mobility more sustainable. Infrastructure that plays a key role in the entire energy system, such as the hydrogen backbone, is given priority in construction and permitting. These are and will be included in the Multi-Year Programme Infrastructure Energy & Climate (MIEK).
As a transit country with major ports and a major producer of wind energy in the North Sea, the Netherlands has the potential to remain an important energy hub for Europe. In the energy system of the future, international cooperation and the international connection of our energy systems will become even more important. For example, the Cabinet wants to make agreements with other North Sea countries regarding the development of energy hubs in the North Sea so that the Netherlands is even better connected to the energy systems of other countries.
Spatial integration of the energy system
A sustainable energy system requires more space than a fossil fuel system. With the Energy Main Structure Programme (PEH), the Cabinet is concretely mapping out how much space is needed for the future energy system , where specific components such as electrolyzers and batteries could be located, and how we can intelligently organize this. By already seeking and reserving space for large-scale energy projects after 2030, their construction can be accelerated. The ultimate vision is the guiding principle in this process. This means that we take into account (additional) infrastructure needed in 2050, rather than what is needed now.
The most efficient form of land use is the reuse of space we already have for the fossil fuel system. For the transport of hydrogen, existing gas pipelines can largely be used in the reserved pipeline corridors. The 21 locations currently designated for power plants, including previously closed coal-fired plants, will remain designated for renewable energy plants . Because much more electricity will be produced and used in the future, it has already been mapped out where more high-voltage lines and substations will be needed in the future. In addition, the Cabinet wants to enable new spatial design principles, such as 'extending' a submarine cable from an offshore wind farm underground to Limburg via a pipeline corridor.
The Netherlands has major ambitions for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis. The Cabinet is therefore now designating the locations where electrolysers may be installed in the future : at places where power cables from offshore wind farms come ashore. This reduces the need for high-voltage lines to the hinterland. In addition, the central government is making agreements with provinces and grid operators regarding the desired distribution of large batteries.
Minister Jetten (Climate and Energy): “ A climate-neutral society in 2050 requires a major overhaul of our energy system. This will make the Netherlands less dependent on foreign countries, our air cleaner, and offer economic opportunities. But to get there, we must look ahead now and make choices. We are doing this with this strategy for the energy system of the future.”
Continuation
The concept plans used input from discussions with many experts and stakeholders, the Energy System 2050 Expert Team and participants of the Energy Consultation. Based on these draft versions, the government will enter into discussions with all kinds of stakeholders and interested parties in the near future. The plans will be tightened and further supplemented to be finalized at the end of 2023. The government has asked the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency to reflect on the NPE. The NPE works as an overarching strategy for future policy, is updated every five years and is included in the new Energy Act. The PEH is updated every four years.
Documents
- Letter to Parliament draft National Energy System Plan 2050Minister Jetten (Climate and Energy) informs the House of Representatives about the draft National Energy System Plan 2050. ...Parliamentary document: Letter to Parliament | 03-07-2023
- Offer Draft Energy Main Structure ProgramOffer Draft Energy Main Structure ProgramParliamentary document: Letter to Parliament | 03-07-2023
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl
Image: Martijn Beekman
