We hear and read daily that the Cabinet is not always on the same page. It is becoming increasingly clear that this division also hinders policy choices. Stimulation of green gas, produced from biogenic residual flows, is one of the first dossiers to fail as a result.
Blending obligation
For years, work has been done on a legally required percentage of biogenic gas to be fed into the gas network. Slightly more expensive than natural gas, but especially for inner cities that are difficult to make sustainable, considerably cheaper than other options for switching off natural gas. This blending obligation is an incentive for both the green gas sector and the agricultural sector. In the Netherlands, production will increase, contributing to energy independence and security of supply. Manure fermentation and gasification are an additional revenue model for farmers and reduce methane and nitrogen emissions by up to 70%. Residual flows from agriculture and horticulture gain more value and the anticipated 1 BCM blending leads to a CO2 reduction of almost 4 Megaton! The scheme actually has everything of a dream scenario for the goals of both the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and that of Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Nature.
Greenhouse horticulture
Unfortunately, this law is in danger of not achieving its intended implementation on 1 January 2026. What is taking its toll is that policy is being developed in isolation. The advantage of one leads to a disadvantage for the other. For example, a considerable number of price-increasing measures are being imposed on energy use in greenhouse horticulture. The additional costs of the blending obligation are hitting growers hard. The Ministry of LVVN does not want to abandon greenhouse horticulture and refuses to cooperate with the obligation. The Ministry of Finance, which is needed for any compensation, has not yet been involved. And the Ministry of KGG notes that an exception for greenhouse horticulture means at least a year's delay in a law that is actually already overdue.
Conversation
After years of preparation, majority motions and already substantial investments by green gas producers, a deadlock has arisen in The Hague. At the urgent request of the Lower House, Minister Hermans promised last Thursday to enter into discussions with all parties. A tough job: negotiating at the moment when the decision has to be taken.
It is now time to think creatively and act out-of-the-box: operate as one Cabinet for a breakthrough on green gas!
About the author
Marieke van der Werf
Advisor in the field of energy and circular economy
Marieke van der Werf is an advisor at the intersection of sustainability and politics. After her membership of the Chamber, she joined Bureau Publyon, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications as a partner. Marieke has specialized in energy and the circular economy and advises, among others, the Green Gas Platform. She is also chair of the CCU Alliance and initiator of the Negative Emissions Task Force, where biogenic CO2 plays an important role. In addition to her consultancy work, Marieke fulfills supervisory roles at, among others, the Frisian Energy Fund and Spaarnelanden BV.
