In the Netherlands, the distribution of electricity consumption in 2025 displays a commendable move toward clean energy, with more than half of the electricity coming from low-carbon sources. Wind energy leads the charge at nearly a quarter, followed by solar at almost a fifth, and biofuels contribute a smaller portion of around 5%. Impressively, nuclear energy, although modest compared to other sources, still forms nearly 3%. Nonetheless, fossil fuels like gas and coal remain substantial, covering approximately 47.8% of the country's electricity, with gas alone representing a bit more than a third of the total consumption. Oil, meanwhile, stands close to none at just over 1%. This mixture illustrates the Netherlands’ ongoing transition towards low-carbon energy, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Netherlands?
Despite the commendable progress in low-carbon generation, the total electricity consumption in the Netherlands has not increased compared to previous highs. The latest numbers show consumption hitting 7188 kWh per person, slightly lower than the historical peak in 2008 of 7435 kWh per person. However, there is a silver lining as the consumption of low-carbon electricity continues to grow, setting new records with an increase to 3714 kWh per person, up by 186 kWh from just the previous year. This reflects a positive trend toward greener energy, even though overall consumption seems to have stagnated. The need for increased electricity generation, especially in clean energy, remains imperative to meet future demands.
Suggestions
For the Netherlands to boost its low-carbon electricity generation, a focus on expanding existing successful technologies like wind and solar is essential. Drawing inspiration from Denmark and Iowa, which generate a substantial 60% and 58% of their electricity from wind, respectively, the Netherlands can aim to further build on its wind energy capabilities. In addition, considering the success of countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power makes up a significant portion of their electricity mix—67% and 66%, respectively—the Netherlands could find considerable potential in exploring and expanding its nuclear energy capacity. Investing in wind, solar, and nuclear will not only further decrease reliance on fossil fuels but also establish a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.
History
Looking back, the historical shift to low-carbon electricity in the Netherlands has been marked by a gradual yet significant expansion of wind and solar power, particularly in the last decade. The growth of wind energy, which saw a notable expansion starting in 2015, continued with significant contributions in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Similarly, solar energy saw its rise begin in 2018, with key leaps in 2019 and continued advancements in subsequent years up to 2025. Biofuels also gained traction especially around 2020, although its role remains circumspect. The year 1997 witnessed a cutback in nuclear energy, a move that underscores the need for a renewed focus on bolstering clean and reliable nuclear resources. As the country looks ahead, reinforcing and expanding these clean electricity sources are essential for a sustainable energy future.
