In the Netherlands, the distribution of electricity consumption from July 2025 to June 2026 highlights a nearly balanced mix of sources. More than half of the electricity is derived from low-carbon sources, with wind energy contributing about a quarter, solar energy generating nearly a fifth, biofuels accounting for almost 5%, and nuclear energy adding close to 3%. In contrast, fossil energy remains prominent, supplying nearly 47% of electricity, with natural gas being the dominant fossil source at over a third, followed by coal at nearly 9%, and oil contributing just over 1%. This distribution shows a strong commitment to clean energy, yet there is substantial room for improvement, especially in reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Netherlands?

Electricity consumption trends in the Netherlands present a slightly concerning picture. The latest data for 2026 shows an individual consumption of 7319 kWh per person, which is slightly less than the historical high of 7435 kWh per person registered in 2008. This decline in total electricity use, although slight, could reflect a stagnation in the electrification of specific sectors or improved energy efficiency. However, a positive aspect is the record in low-carbon electricity generation, which has grown to 3811 kWh per person from the previous year's 3714 kWh per person. This increase, albeit modest, indicates a promising shift towards sustainable electricity sources.

Suggestions

To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, the Netherlands can build upon its successful wind and solar initiatives by significantly expanding these sectors. Learning from other countries that are leaders in clean energy can provide useful insights. Denmark, for instance, generates 57% of its electricity from wind, a figure the Netherlands can aspire to emulate given its similar geographic features. Similarly, the advancement in solar technology should not be overlooked, as seen in Nevada, which generates 35% of its electricity from solar, and California, with 31%. Furthermore, considering the strong nuclear contributions seen in countries like France, where nuclear energy accounts for 67% of electricity, the Netherlands could explore expanding its nuclear capacity to achieve substantial reductions in fossil energy reliance.

History

Historically, the Netherlands has seen varied developments in low-carbon electricity. In the late 1990s, nuclear electricity generation faced a significant drop, particularly in 1997, highlighting missed opportunities for low-carbon energy unless addressed with optimism and proactive policies. The 2000s saw a modest rise in biofuels, and advancements became more pronounced through and beyond the 2010s with wind gaining traction each subsequent year, notably in 2015 and progressively in the following years. The early 2020s marked major expansions, with particularly strong growth in solar and wind power. These trends are promising, suggesting a burgeoning era of clean energy uptake despite the occasional drop like the decline observed in biofuels in 2023, pointing toward a crucial journey ahead on bolstering green energy infrastructure. By further investing in and expanding sustainable energy initiatives, the Netherlands can secure a leading position in clean electricity generation and contribute significantly to combating climate change and reducing air pollution.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.