Over the past year, from October 2024 to September 2025, the Netherlands has made significant strides in advancing its electricity generation from low-carbon sources. Now, over half of its electricity, at 53%, comes from low-carbon sources. Among these, wind and solar power together account for almost 44% of electricity generation, with wind at 23% and solar at around 21%. Although biofuels contribute a smaller share, close to 6%, nuclear power remains a minor yet vital contributor at approximately 3%. Fossil fuels still account for close to 47% of electricity generation, with gas being the predominant fossil fuel at about 35%, and coal making up nearly 10%. The limited role of low-carbon sources like nuclear highlights an area ripe for potential growth, especially in light of the growing urgency to address climate change and lessen air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Netherlands?
Examining the trends in electricity consumption in the Netherlands reveals a mixed picture. The most recent data shows that the Dutch electricity consumption is at 7091 kWh per person, which is below the historic high of 7435 kWh per person recorded in 2008, marking a notable decline by 344 kWh. However, on a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation has achieved new heights, now reaching 3740 kWh per person, surpassing last year's record of 3528 kWh per person by 212 kWh. This indicates a commendable shift towards cleaner electricity sources, though the overall consumption figure underscores the vital need for continual growth. With the increasing role of electricity in modern life and future technologies like AI, this plateau in total consumption is concerning and underscores the necessity for enhanced growth in overall and low-carbon electricity generation.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon generation capacity, the Netherlands should aim to expand its solar and wind capacity further. Given the impressive performance of wind power in countries like Denmark, which derives nearly half of its electricity from wind, the Netherlands can seek to emulate such success. For solar energy, the remarkable solar adoption in nations like Lebanon, which generates almost a third of its electricity from solar, offers valuable insights for the Netherlands. Moreover, the Netherlands could significantly benefit from augmenting its nuclear capacity, learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power generates over 60% of their electricity. Embracing a robust mix of wind, solar, and nuclear could dramatically enhance the Netherlands' clean energy footprint and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with global climate goals and ensuring a sustainable energy future.
History
Looking into the historical development of low-carbon electricity in the Netherlands reveals a dynamic yet evolving landscape. In the late 1990s, the decline of nuclear by 1.8 TWh highlighted a missed opportunity to foster more sustainable electricity. However, advances in wind, solar, and biofuels became more prominent from the mid-2010s onward. Wind power saw significant growth in the years 2015 and 2017, with increases of 1.8 and 2.4 TWh, respectively. The 2020s have been especially notable, with substantial increments in solar and wind capacities—solar power surged by 6.2 TWh in 2022 alone, while wind increased by 8 TWh in 2023, which is particularly commendable. Despite a recent dip in wind in 2025, solar continued its upward trajectory, emphasizing the promising path forward in clean electricity generation. Moving forward, the Netherlands should aim to gain from past insights and position itself as a pioneer in clean electricity generation, accelerating its nuclear, wind, and solar initiatives to meet future demands and climate targets effectively.
