In 2022, photovoltaic power generation accounted for 7.3% of the total electricity generation in EU countries, with the Netherlands having the highest proportion of photovoltaic power generation among EU countries. Recently, the Dutch Enterprise Management Agency, a subsidiary of the Dutch Ministry of Economy, released the latest forecast that by 2023, the new installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in the Netherlands is expected to reach 3.3 gigawatts, with a new installed capacity exceeding 3 gigawatts for three consecutive years. By the end of 2023, the cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in the Netherlands will reach 17.6 gigawatts, and the generated electricity will meet about 1/6 of the country’s electricity demand.
Ember, a climate energy think tank in the UK, pointed out that in recent years, the proportion of photovoltaic power generation in the Dutch electricity structure has significantly increased, rapidly increasing from 1% in 2015 to 14% in 2022. In 2022, photovoltaic power generation accounted for 7.3% of the total electricity generation in EU countries, and the Netherlands is the country with the highest proportion of photovoltaic power generation among EU countries, undoubtedly becoming a new “leader” in the field of photovoltaic power generation in Europe.
Photovoltaic power generation surpasses coal-fired power for the first time
According to data released by the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2022, the proportion of renewable energy power generation in the Netherlands had reached 40%, an increase of 8% compared to 2021, while fossil fuel power generation decreased by 11% year-on-year. Among them, photovoltaic power is indispensable. In 2022, the renewable energy generation in the Netherlands reached 47 billion kilowatt hours, with over half coming from photovoltaic power generation; Photovoltaic power generation accounts for 14% of the total power generation, surpassing coal-fired power generation for the first time.
It is understood that currently, the Netherlands is one of the six European countries with the most severe greenhouse gas emissions, and the pressure of energy transformation is enormous. In recent years, the Netherlands has attached great importance to the development of the renewable energy industry, with a rapid increase in photovoltaic power generation.
Some Dutch media have pointed out that the Dutch government hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector by expanding the application of photovoltaic power generation, while achieving the goal of reducing dependence on imported energy. From a price perspective, in 2022, the economy of photovoltaic power generation in the Netherlands has been higher than that of fossil fuel power generation, and photovoltaic power generation has to some extent helped the Netherlands fill the gap in fossil fuel power generation.
According to the current target, by 2030, renewable energy electricity will supply over 70% of the electricity demand in the Netherlands, with photovoltaic power generation being the main force. Netbeheer, a Dutch power grid operator, believes that under the above goals, the installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in the Netherlands will maintain strong growth momentum in the future. The company provided a more specific long-term forecast in its latest report, believing that by 2050, the cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in the Netherlands will reach a range of 100 gigawatts to 180 gigawatts; The most optimistic expectation is that the installed capacity has increased by 55 gigawatts compared to the previous 125 gigawatts, an increase of over 40%.
Policy Adjustment Helps Transform the Role of Photovoltaics
To ensure the continuous growth of photovoltaic power generation installation scale, the Netherlands has written the development goals of photovoltaic power generation into law and promised to limit oil and gas drilling activities, increase green spending, and stimulate market activity. According to public information, in 2022, the Dutch government invested 13 billion euros in the renewable energy industry.
In addition to high financial support, the Netherlands is also creating a better business environment for the photovoltaic industry by adjusting dividend policies. In February of this year, the Dutch House of Representatives approved a legal proposal submitted by Energy Minister Robert Jetten, stating that in the future, photovoltaic power generation will gradually phase out the current net metering plan.
It is understood that the net metering plan has always been the main policy supporting the growth of photovoltaic power generation installation in the Netherlands. This plan allows residential buildings equipped with photovoltaic power generation systems to sell their electricity generation to the power grid to earn electricity bills. As the photovoltaic industry becomes more mature, the Dutch government has begun to adjust the selling prices of photovoltaic electricity, resulting in a decrease in electricity revenue.
The head of the Dutch Solar Energy Association, Vinold van Hoover, stated that the continued implementation of the net metering plan in the Netherlands will hinder the development of the photovoltaic power generation market, thereby dragging down the energy transformation process. It is very important to adjust policies in a timely manner based on the development of the industry. The demand for photovoltaic installation in the Netherlands is constantly rising, and it will become an important source of electricity supply in the future. This policy shift will promote a shift in the understanding of the Dutch people. Photovoltaic power generation is not only a financial means, but also a practical energy source.
