In the first half of 2024, electricity production from renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass will have increased to 32,3 billion kWh, which corresponds to 53 percent of total electricity production in the Netherlands. This marks an important milestone, as renewable energy accounts for more than half of the electricity supply for the first time, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Total electricity production rose by 1 percent to 60,5 billion kWh in this period, while electricity consumption in the Netherlands increased by 5 percent to 55,8 billion kWh, just below the pre-corona crisis level. The Netherlands remained a net exporter of electricity in the first six months of 2024, with a balance of 2,3 billion kWh more exported than imported.
Wind energy drives growth of renewable energy
Electricity production from wind energy increased by an impressive 33 percent to 17,4 billion kWh. This increase was mainly due to new wind farms, both onshore and offshore. The wind farms Hollandse Kust Zuid and Hollandse Kust Noord played an important role in this growth. The replacement of older wind turbines with new, more powerful turbines in Flevoland also resulted in a significant increase in wind energy capacity.
Sun and biomass
Electricity production from solar energy also rose, albeit to a lesser extent, to 11,7 billion kWh. This was despite a decrease in solar radiation compared to the same period last year. The increase was due to an increase in the number of installed solar panels. However, biomass, another renewable source, showed a decrease of 16 percent. This was mainly caused by a decrease in co-firing in coal-fired power stations, which were less operational in the first half of 2024.
Decreasing dependence on fossil fuels
The shift to renewable energy has led to a decline in electricity production from fossil fuels. Production from coal fell by almost 40 percent to 3,9 billion kWh, as solar and wind proved cheaper and more competitive. Electricity production from natural gas also fell, to 21,3 billion kWh, despite lower prices for both natural gas and CO2 emissions in 2024.
The Netherlands remains a net exporter of electricity
Although electricity imports rose by 4 percent, exports fell by 10 percent. This resulted in an export surplus of 2,3 billion kWh. The decline in exports was particularly noticeable to Belgium and Germany, where demand for Dutch electricity decreased due to increased production from French nuclear and hydroelectric power stations.
Source: CBS
