In 2023, Dutch companies will also have met the annual obligation to supply 18,9% renewable energy to the Dutch transport sector. Almost all fuel suppliers achieved their individual annual obligations. The share of renewable energy in 2023 was 17,5% of the total gasoline and diesel supplied to transport in the Netherlands. By using saved renewable fuel units (HBEs) from 2022, the annual obligation for 2023 was still met. This meant that the annual closing of renewable energy for transport could also be completed positively in 2023.
Thanks to the annual obligation, fuel suppliers supply an increasing share of renewable fuels every year, reducing the share of fossil fuels. This contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the Netherlands. In 2023, the share of renewable energy in transport achieved an average CO2 emissions reduction of 6,6%, which is higher than the 6% target.
Use of waste flows and residues
The Netherlands is among the leaders in Europe in the use of biofuels from waste streams and residues, with a share of 85% in 2023. This leads to a low use of food and feed crops for biofuel production. Palm oil and soy were not used for biofuels intended for the Dutch market.
Nautical
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) has taken measures to achieve a better balance between maritime shipping and road transport in the supply of biofuels. Most biofuels supplied to the maritime shipping industry in 2022 were produced from well grease and flotation sludge, which will no longer be considered raw materials for advanced biofuels in 2023. The share of maritime shipping in the whole was still 28%, but is expected to decline in 2024 due to the halving of the multiplication factor on deliveries to maritime shipping.
Raw materials and origin
The delisting of well grease and flotation sludge as 'advanced' has led to an increase in feedstocks such as palm oil mill wastewater (POME) and food waste, used to produce advanced biofuels. POME use amounted to 19,9% and food waste 16,6% in 2023. Used frying fat remains the most used raw material, with China (19%), Indonesia (17%), and Malaysia (8%) as the most important countries of origin.
Aviation
The production of biokerosene has increased considerably. The share of biofuels in aviation increased by 2023% in 5 compared to the previous year. Of the total renewable energy supplied in the Netherlands, 8% was biokerosene.
Electricity and hydrogen
In 2023, the share of renewable electricity will have increased sharply. The number of registrations of renewable electricity supplies to transport increased by 60%, resulting in a share of 4,5% of the total renewable energy for transport. This trend will likely continue due to the growth of electric vehicles and the familiarity of the HBE system. For the first time, a (small) amount of hydrogen was also registered.
Developments
The Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa), together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, is preparing for the implementation of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which will come into effect from 1 January 2026. The new directive rewards CO2 emission reduction in the chain instead of the volume of renewable energy supplied. In addition, each transport sector's own sustainability ambitions are set. The NEa also implements the European fuel regulations ReFuel Aviation and FuelEU Maritime, which encourage aviation and maritime shipping respectively to use more renewable fuels.
Source: Emissions Authority
