Avoided use of fossil energy and emission of CO2

The use of renewable energy avoids the use of fossil energy and as a consequence avoids emission of CO2. Renewable energy is energy from wind, hydro power, the sun, the earth, heat from outdoor air and biomass. This is energy from natural processes that is replenished constantly.

Figures are presented in an absolute way, as well as related to the total emission of carbon dioxide in the Netherlands.

Avoiding the use of fossil energy and avoiding emission of carbon dioxide are important underlying aims for stimulation of the use of renewable energy.

The figures are broken down into energy source/technique and into application (electricity, heat and transport).

Data available from: 1990

Status of the figures: This table contains definite figures up to and including 2020, revised provisional figures for 2021 and provisional figures for 2023.

Changes as of June 30th 2023 Provisional figures added for 2022, revised provisional figures adjusted for 2021. From reporting year 2021, new sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous biomass will apply in the context of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018). Only solid and gaseous biomass compliant according to these criteria are used to determine the avoided use of fossil energy and emission of CO2 in 2021. An exception applies to the biogas used for bio-methane production. The current methodology doesn’t discern sustainable from non-sustainable biogas used for bio-methane production. This differs from the methodology used for gross final energy consumption that is the basis of most statistics on renewable energy.

Changes as of February 8th 2023 Revised provisional figures added for 2021. Figures for 2020 are definite. From reporting year 2021, new sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous biomass will apply in the context of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018). Only solid and gaseous biomass compliant according to these criteria are used to determine the avoided use of fossil energy and emission of CO2 in 2021. Figures for 2020 and before were calculated based on RED I; in accordance with Eurostat these figures will not be modified anymore. This may result in inconsistencies with other tables.

Changes as of July 2022: Revised provisional figures added for 2021. From reporting year 2021, new sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous biomass will apply in the context of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018). It is currently unclear whether all biomass consumed in the Netherlands meets these new sustainability criteria. This has an impact on the calculation of the avoided use of fossil energy and emission of CO2. For the cases where this uncertainty applies a “.“ is displayed.

When will new figures be published? Provisional figures: June of the following year. Revised provisional figures: December of the following year. Definite figures: December of the second following year.