Netherlands temporarily lifts curbs on coal-fired power generation amid fears of gas shortage
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing: The Dutch government announced on the 20th that in response to the risk of natural gas shortages, it will temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power generation until 2024.
Dutch Climate and Energy Minister Rob Yetten said in a statement that in view of the increased risk of natural gas shortages, the government decided on the 20th to lift restrictions on coal-fired power generation from 2022 to 2024, effective immediately, “Coal-fired power plants will once again be Approved to operate at full capacity”.
According to Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the Netherlands previously limited coal-fired power generation to 35% of total electricity due to environmental considerations. The Dutch government said it would take certain steps in other areas to neutralize the increase in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the increase in coal-fired power generation.
The Dutch government hopes to save natural gas use by increasing coal-fired power generation so that it can store more natural gas for winter heating. Yetten called on businesses and people to save energy: “From now on, every cubic meter of gas has to be calculated carefully, even in summer, save as much as possible.”
Since April 1 this year, Russia has switched to rubles when supplying natural gas to “unfriendly” countries and regions. Including the Netherlands, some energy companies in Poland, Finland and other countries have been cut off by Russia for refusing to comply with the “Ruble Settlement Order”.
According to DPA, 15% of the Netherlands’ natural gas supply comes from Russia. According to Yetten, there is no natural gas shortage in the Netherlands for the time being.
(Liu Jiang)