Dutch Plants Favour Gas over Coal
Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) in The Netherlands fell 0.3% in the second quarter of the year, compared with 2Q 2015, mostly owing to the greater use of gas in the power mix, according to the conclusion of the Dutch national statistics institute CBS.
Another major factor was milder weather and so less was used for heating. Gas has a very high household and space heating penetration in The Netherlands, After adjusting for temperatures emissions were 0.3% higher. However, in the same period, the Dutch economic growth was 2.3%.
The 870-MW Enecogen CCGT in Rotterdam, launched in 2011, took 30 months to build (Credit: Siemens)
From April to June, emissions by energy, water and waste management companies were reduced by nearly 3% relative to the same quarter in 2015. These companies account for about 35% of all emissions. In 2015 coal use had risen owing to new plants owned by RWE (Eemshaven), Engie and Uniper (both of them in the Rotterdam port area). Over the whole year 2015, 42% of the Dutch electricity was generated by natural gas and 35% from coal.
In the transport, agriculture, building and industrial sectors, CO2 emissions in the quarter rose with higher output.
Koen Mortelmans