The Netherlands continues to consolidate its progress in the energy transition with a new record in renewable energy consumption. According to preliminary figures published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), renewable sources represented 19.8% of total energy consumption in 2024, up from 17.4% the previous year. This marks a doubling in just five years, as the share stood at only 8.7% in 2019.

The increase is mainly attributed to the expansion of offshore wind power and the strengthened use of biofuels. Total renewable energy consumption reached 358 petajoules (PJ) in 2024, a 15% increase year-on-year. Within that figure, biomass accounted for 121 PJ, followed by wind (116 PJ) and solar energy (78 PJ).

Electricity generation made up 60% of total renewable use, with 28% allocated to heating and cooling, and the remaining 12% to transport. In terms of overall energy use, national consumption stood at 1807 PJ, a 1% rise from 2023.

Electricity: Offshore wind leads the way

In 2024, half of all electricity consumed in the Netherlands came from renewable sources, totalling 216 PJ. Of this, wind energy rose by 20%, reaching 116 PJ. The CBS attributes this surge to the commissioning of new offshore wind turbines, which contributed slightly less than half of the total wind output.

Solar energy also grew by 9%, although the increase was lower than in previous years, as fewer panels were installed and the year was less sunny. By contrast, biomass-based electricity generation dropped by 10%, to 23 PJ, due to a decrease in co-firing at coal-fired power plants.

Heat, cooling, and heat pumps

In the thermal segment, 11.2% of all heating and cooling consumption came from renewable sources, compared to 10.2% the year before. Biomass remains the primary renewable source, contributing 56 PJ, followed by heat pumps, which delivered 30 PJ (a 16% rise), and geothermal energy, which increased by 10% to 7.5 PJ.

Renewable cooling accounted for 6.3 PJ, while solar thermal energy held steady at 1.2 PJ.

Biofuels: Biodiesel surges

One of the most striking findings is the sharp rise in biodiesel use, which doubled to 25 PJ compared to 2023. This was driven by regulatory changes that mandate higher renewable content in transport fuels.

Bio-kerosene consumption also doubled to 5 PJ, while bio-petrol remained stable at 11 PJ. Overall, biofuels accounted for 10% of diesel and petrol consumption in road transport, amounting to 35 PJ.

International comparisons and EU targets

According to Eurostat, the Netherlands remains below the EU average for renewable energy share, though its growth rate is among the highest. Under the European Green Deal and the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), EU member states are expected to reach a minimum 42.5% share of renewables in final energy consumption by 2030, with an aspirational target of 45%.

The progress seen since 2019 is significant, yet more is needed to meet the 2030 threshold.

Investment, challenges, and outlook

Offshore wind is at the core of the Netherlands’ energy strategy. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, multiple auctions are underway for offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of over 10 GW by 2030, many of them integrated with green hydrogen production.

However, TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator, has highlighted grid capacity constraints as a major challenge for accommodating rising volumes of renewable energy. Network expansion and faster permitting processes are seen as critical to sustaining this growth.