A Leader in Energy Innovation
The Netherlands is one of the world’s leaders in renewable energy. The Dutch energy industry offers world-class R&D facilities and outstanding incentive programs that support and stimulate innovation. Furthermore, the Dutch workforce, wealth of natural resources, commitment to sustainability and innovative opportunities are advantageous for international energy companies looking to locate or expand in Europe.
Renewable energy in the Netherlands is a top priority. The 2019 Climate Agreement commits to transitioning to a sustainable energy system, including reducing greenhouse gases by 49% by 2030. The Netherlands’ progressive policies and affinity for innovation have attracted some of the world’s leading specialists in the industry. Notable organizations include the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation Offshore Wind (TKI Wind op Zee), the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) and Delft University of Technology.
Key logistics hub in a carbon neutral Europe
As a hotbed for energy innovation, the Netherlands is well positioned become a key logistics hub in a carbon neutral Europe in 2050. The country is accelerating decarbonization in a number of vital areas, such as offshore wind, hydrogen and energy storage.
The national government has adopted a Hydrogen strategy to boast production and use of low carbon hydrogen. There are several large scale initiatives such as H-Vision and Hydrogen 2 Magnum.
At the same time, the Netherlands is rolling out infrastructures such as Carbon Capture and Storage/CCU and waste heat grids. An example is the international co-venture Porthos. To stimulate innovation in this field, there is a subsidy program, the SDE++ scheme for sustainable energy transition, which applies for a wide range of decarbonization initiatives.
International innovators join the Dutch energy ecosystem
International energy companies that are innovating in the Netherlands’ energy ecosystem include Orsted, Siemens Gamesa, and DNV GL. Air Liquide has also invested in renewable energy in the Netherlands. The company is building the first world-scale air separation unit, which facilitates renewable energy on an electricity grid.
The Netherlands is home to various major international offshore wind energy initiatives, including Orsted Borssele I en 2 and Vattenfall Hollandse Kust Zuid. In the north, a group of companies including Northland Power and Siemens, have partnered in the Gemini Offshore Wind Park, one of the largest offshore wind parks in the world.
Nearby Energyport Eemshaven produces a third of all the energy in the Netherlands while Eneco’s Sunport Delfzijl is the largest solar park in the Netherlands. The region is an important European connection for sustainable energy sources, ranging from offshore wind farms to hydroelectric power plants to solar energy parks.
Offshore wind park installation and maintenance is concentrated in various high quality ports such as Eemshaven, IJmuiden and Vlissingen. Meanwhile, the Port of Rotterdam and its manmade extension, Maasvlakte 2, have established Europe’s first Offshore Center for wind energy, where an international group of businesses are working together in the offshore and maritime industry.
New energy technologies
In R&D, Dutch companies and research institutes are working together with foreign companies to develop new energy technologies such as food production based on plants versus animals, photonic IT solutions that reduce power consumption, and synthetic fuel and EV charging infrastructure for the transportation sector. They’re also creating technologies that drastically improve the energy efficiency of industrial processes, infrastructure and buildings.
In all of these energy-related fields, there are attractive opportunities for international innovation in the Netherlands.