Wind Energy in The Netherlands
2022 wind energy numbers
In 2022, the goal to reach 6 GW in onshore wind capacity was achieved, a deadline initially due in 2020. However, an acceleration process which allowed 866 MW to be installed in 2022 concluded the project.
Another 6.9 GW of onshore capacity is expected by the end of 2023, which will contribute 21 TWh and makes up 18% of total national electricity consumption. Approximately 800 MW in onshore wind projects are already spread throughout the permit, spatial, and preparatory stages. However, due to the numerous uncertainties associated with these phases, only some of them are expected to be achieved within the deadline. In 2022, the installed offshore wind capacity level remained at 2.5 GW. However, the parties awarded permits for sites HKZ and HKN expect to finalise their windfarms in 2023, which will create an additional 2.3 GW. Several new offshore sites are being developed and will be tendered in the coming years to achieve the 21 GW goal in 2030.
To learn more about wind energy in the Netherlands, please read their chapter in the IEA Wind TCP 2022 Annual Report.
National Targets
The Netherlands is committed to fulfilling its role in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. For this purpose, a climate plan has been formulated, in which the reduction of greenhouse gasses is set to 55% in 2030 and 95% in 2050 compared to 1990 levels.
An acceleration to meet these targets is needed as the current prognosis for 2030 is predicted at 39% instead of 55%. Therefore, the minister of climate and energy, Rob Jetten, announced in April 2023 an additional package of measures to close the gap to the 2030 climate target. The sectors of electricity, industry, building infrastructure, agriculture, mobility, and transport must all contribute. In addition, a climate and transition fund of 35 billion EUR (39 billion USD) has been allocated to support this acceleration.
Progress & Operational Details
Electricity production in 2022 has remained at a comparable level to the previous year. Electricity production from renewable sources increased by 20%, reaching 47 TWh. Output from solar energy increased by 54%, and 17% from wind. This is primarily due to the additional 4 GW solar and 1 GW wind capacity. In addition, favourable weather conditions have contributed to this increase, indicating a rendition of fossil fuels.
In 2022, about 41% of the total electricity demand of 118 TWh was generated by renewable sources. Wind generated 18% in 2022, which is a slight increase, compared to 17 % in 2021. Solar is proliferating and is responsible for 15% of the electricity demand in 2022 compared to 10% in 2021. The remaining 8% is mainly generated by biomass, which is relatively constant.
National RDD Priorities and Budget
The Dutch innovation support system aims to achieve the ambitious goals defined in the Climate Agreement. To complete these goals, the focus of the available innovation instruments is on the other hand very concrete and projects requiring subsidy should therefore result in practical solutions within a few years. These instruments are open to innovations in reducing CO2 emissions and making them cheaper. Wind energy is one of them. The main subsidy instruments are the DEI+, HER+, and MOOI, which have a combined budget of 120 million EUR (133 million USD) per year. The DEI+ stimulates higher TRL demonstration projects, the HER+ supports mid-level TRL projects, and the MOOI is a twoyear subsidy scheme focusing on the innovations’ mission, cooperation, and market implementation. RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) is responsible for the execution of these subsidy schemes.