Netherlands: More Gas, Less CO Storage

The Dutch Energy Council (Algemene Energieraad), the highest advisory body of the Dutch government in energy affairs, has come out strongly in favour of the development of unconventional gas in the Netherlands.

In an official advice to the government, the Council recommends a number of policies that should stimulate the exploitation of shale gas and coalbed methane in the Netherlands.

Most importantly perhaps, the Council advises the government to ensure that landowners and tenants benefit financially from unconventional gas development on their land, which would enhance public support for the exploitation of unconventional gas.

"Gas is an important role in the future at the expense of oil. We must therefore acquire a significant position in gas as a transit country also benefit from the increased production of unconventional gas. "

In discussing the role of natural gas, the Council emphasized that in the transition to a low-carbon economy, gas-fired electricity generation is a better option than coal-fired power generation with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

According to the Council, even gas-fired power stations without CCS produce less CO2 than coal-fired power stations that capture 80% of their CO2. Gas-fired power is also more flexible and can be “greened” through the use of biogas. For all these reasons, ‘gas deserves a more prominent place in the EU’s climate and energy policy’ than it has now, says the Council.