Energy Central-News Article

Electricity production from renewable sources in our country rose to 27.6 billion kilowatt-hours in the first half of 2023. That is 14 percent more than in the same period a year earlier. This brought the share of renewable electricity to 46 percent of total electricity production. The production of electricity from fossil sources actually decreased. This reports CBS on the basis of new figures.

Electricity production from solar power rose to 11 billion kilowatt hours in the first half of 2023. This is an increase of 25 percent (2.2 billion kilowatt hours) compared to the same period a year earlier. This growth is mainly due to an increase in the number of solar panels in our country. Production from wind increased 16 percent (1.8 billion kilowatt hours) to 13 billion kilowatt hours. This is due to increased offshore capacity and more favorable onshore wind.

Electricity production from natural gas and coal decreased

Electricity production from natural gas and coal had to make room for increased cheaper production from renewable sources. Electricity production from fossil sources fell 8 percent to 30 billion kilowatt hours in the first half of 2023. Coal-fired power plants produced 16 percent less electricity. Mainly due to higher prices for coal and CO2. Production from natural gas decreased by 6 percent. Higher natural gas prices were the main cause for this.

Climate target 2030 in sight

The figures give hope for achieving the Climate Goals. The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) reported yesterday that the 2030 climate goal is in sight for the first time. In 2030 the Netherlands must emit 55 percent less greenhouse gases compared to 1990 - by 2050 the Netherlands wants to be climate neutral. An emissions reduction of 46 to 57 percent by 2030 is now considered possible. But, PBL warns, the upper end of this range is only feasible if everything goes according to plan. Including uncertain factors, such as the weather.

More exports than imports

The Netherlands has been exporting more electricity than it imports for seven quarters in a row now. Electricity imports fell 3 percent to 9 billion kilowatt-hours in the first half of 2023 compared to the first half of 2022. On the contrary, electricity exports rose 17 percent to 14 billion kilowatt-hours. In particular, exports to Germany increased. This was mainly because electricity production in our neighboring country fell due to lower production from German coal and nuclear power plants, among other things.