In 2022, the energy consumption in the Netherlands decreased by 10 percent compared to 2021, reaching a total of 2732 PJ (petajoules), the lowest level since 1990. The consumption of natural gas saw an even more significant decline of 21 percent compared to 2021, mainly due to reduced natural gas-intensive activities. Additionally, the consumption of oil as a raw material also decreased. These findings are based on data from CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics).
The energy mix in the Netherlands comprises oil, natural gas, coal, renewable energy, and other energy carriers (nuclear energy and waste). The average share of natural gas in the energy mix from 1990 to 2022 was 45 percent, reaching its peak at 50 percent in 1991. In 2022, the share of natural gas dropped to its lowest at 36 percent. The highest amount of natural gas was consumed in 2010, with 1683 PJ, and in 2022, there were 994 PJ remaining, representing 59 percent of the peak consumption.
The consumption of oil decreased by 4 percent in 2022 compared to 2021. Oil now constitutes 39 percent of the energy mix. Renewable energy, coal, and other energy carriers together form the remaining quarter of the energy mix. During this period, the consumption of coal remained stable, while the usage of renewable energy increased.
All sectors in the Netherlands exhibited reduced natural gas consumption. The total natural gas consumption in 2022 decreased by 21 percent from 1256 PJ to 994 PJ. The largest absolute reduction in natural gas consumption was observed in residential buildings, with a decrease of 67 PJ, amounting to a 22 percent reduction. This decline can be attributed to milder weather conditions and efforts to minimize gas consumption. The reduction in the services sector was 15 percent, smaller than that in residential buildings.
The agricultural sector experienced the most substantial relative decline in natural gas consumption, with a decrease of 31 percent. The decrease in the agricultural sector was mainly driven by high natural gas prices, particularly in the horticultural sector, where natural gas consumption forms a significant part of total costs. Additionally, the relatively warm and sunny weather also contributed to the reduction in gas consumption in agriculture.
In the energy sector, more than half (35 out of the total 61 PJ) of the reduction in natural gas consumption came from electricity producers, who generated less electricity from natural gas. The energy sector also witnessed a significant decline in natural gas consumption by oil refineries, which halved their natural gas consumption by 24 PJ, while the total amount of processed oil remained roughly the same. This can be partly explained by an increased use of oil refinery gases and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for heat and hydrogen production.
Furthermore, within the industrial sector, the chemical industry witnessed an 18 percent decrease in natural gas consumption, from 355 to 292 PJ in 2022. This decline is mainly attributed to a few natural gas-intensive companies within the chemical industry that scaled down their production. Like the horticultural sector, these companies rely heavily on natural gas for their operations, making them more vulnerable to the high natural gas prices in 2022.
Overall, the reduction in energy consumption and the shift in the energy mix demonstrate significant progress toward achieving sustainable energy goals in the Netherlands.
https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2023/27/laagste-energieverbruik-in-nederland-sinds-1990