Energy Saving

Dutch households, businesses, and other organizations have consumed about 30% less gas in the past period compared to the average of the last five years. This has reduced the average annual consumption from about 41 billion cubic meters to 31 billion cubic meters. This is partly due to high energy prices and the mild winter. Gas consumption in the industry has also significantly decreased due to high prices and efficiency measures. The government will restart the energy-saving campaign Turn the Switch from mid-May with practical advice for businesses and households to save energy.

Filling Gas Storage

The gas storage facilities in the Netherlands are currently filled to an average of 58.1%, which is significantly better than last years level around this time (21.3%, as of April 1). The cabinet aims for the gas storage facilities in the Netherlands to be filled to at least 90% this spring. A subsidy scheme has been announced to encourage companies to fill the Bergermeer gas storage, the largest publicly accessible gas storage in Western Europe. Additionally, the state-owned company EBN will partially fill the storage if companies do not. The gas storage facilities in Grijpskerk and Alkmaar will be filled to 100%. The Norg gas storage is currently over 80% full. The filling rate of Norg for the winter depends on market conditions and possible future agreements on additional filling.

Gas Import

The import of liquefied gas plays an important role in replacing gas from Russia. The import capacity for liquefied gas (LNG) in the Netherlands has doubled from 12 billion cubic meters to 24 billion cubic meters per year. A new floating terminal has been constructed in Eemshaven (+8 billion m3), and the existing terminal in Rotterdam has been expanded (+4 billion m3). The terminals in Eemshaven and Rotterdam will be gradually expanded to a total capacity of 30 billion m3 by 2026. Various studies are also ongoing regarding further expansions of import capacity in the Netherlands.

Within the EU framework, the Netherlands is focusing on joint gas purchasing. The European Commission is working on a purchasing platform that will allow companies from different EU countries to jointly purchase gas. The aim is to purchase gas under better conditions. The first purchasing rounds are expected to start in May.