Step by step, the Netherlands is transitioning to sustainable energy

By 2050, the Netherlands wants to be using energy from sustainable sources only. There’s a long way to go before this can happen. It will require new wind farms, electricity pylons, cables and other infrastructure. People, businesses and organisations will need to switch to smarter and more efficient ways of using energy.

Fossil fuels are running out

Today, fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal still produce much of the energy that the Netherlands needs for its homes, workplaces and transport. But these fossil fuels are slowly running out and becoming more expensive. The Netherlands also depends on other countries for oil and gas. For the safety of people living in the province of Groningen, gas is no longer extracted there.

Rising sea levels and extreme weather

Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide (CO₂) when they are burned. They are being used on a huge scale around the world, and pump too much CO₂ into the atmosphere. This is heating up the earth, raising sea levels and making weather more extreme. All of this poses a threat to people, animals and the environment. To help combat climate change, the Netherlands and other countries want to switch from fossil fuels to sustainable sources of energy.

Grid constraint

People, businesses and organisations are already taking action to generate and use energy in sustainable ways. This has been happening faster than ever in recent years, but the electricity grid can’t keep up. Grid constraint happens when there is more energy than the grid can handle. This is a problem we face today and will continue to face in the future. The government is taking steps to address this issue.

A combination of sustainable energy sources

No single source can provide all the sustainable energy we will need in the future. That’s why sustainable energy will need to come from a combination of sources.

Wind and solar energy together are still not enough to meet our energy needs. Because the sun doesn’t shine all the time and there’s not always enough wind, we need other sources of energy too. Nuclear power plants provide a steady supply of energy and produce almost no CO2. The government intends to build two new nuclear power plants and keep the existing one running.

It is also making plans to use green gas and biomass energy.

More sustainable industry

Industrial processes are a major source of greenhouse emissions. In 2021, the industrial sector emitted 54 megatonnes of greenhouse gases, which was 32% of total emissions that year (source: Statistics Netherlands (CBS)). The sector needs to reduce emissions and become more sustainable, for example by transitioning to energy sources such as green hydrogen.

Expanding energy infrastructure

Creating a sustainable energy system will involve a lot of construction work. This will affect most people in the Netherlands in some way. For instance, around a third of Dutch roads may need to be dug up. More than 80,000 kilometres of new electricity cables will need to be laid, and around 50,000 new electrical cabinets will need to be installed in residential neighbourhoods.
Space must also be found for things like:

new electricity pylons to connect solar panels and wind farms on land and in the sea to the electricity grid
cables, conduits and hydrogen pipelines
a bigger and more robust electricity grid.

Skilled technical workers will be needed to expand and maintain the grid. To speed up progress, the government will support major energy projects.

Using energy differently

People and businesses will use energy differently in the future. Sustainable energy sources are more reliant on the weather. So if the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, energy may not be available at a constant rate throughout the day.

That makes it important to use energy more efficiently, for example at times when the supply is plentiful. This could mean running the washing machine when the sun is shining and solar panels are producing more energy.

It will still be important to reduce energy consumption, because that will lower the amount that needs to be generated. Even so, demand for energy is expected to grow further in the years ahead.

Sustainability is good for trade and prosperity

The transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy is an opportunity to boost prosperity. Trade in sustainable energy will grow in the years to come. The Netherlands’ central location is convenient for connections to other countries. Dutch companies are also developing new products and solutions that other countries need. This generates income and creates jobs in new sustainable industries.

Making new technologies affordable and profitable is a major challenge. Green hydrogen is a good example of this. The government will help businesses meet this challenge.

To become sustainable by 2050, everyone needs to play their part

Step by step, the Netherlands is transitioning to sustainable energy. To reach this goal by 2050, everyone will need to play their part. The government and businesses will keep the conversation going with members of the public, even when there is disagreement or concern. To make sure the Netherlands is sustainable by 2050.