Survey characteristics
Purpose
To obtain an overview of renewable energy in the Netherlands
Target population
All installations that produce renewable energy
Statistical unit
Installation
First year of survey
1990
Frequency
Annually. Some components, among others renewable electricity, quarterly. Wind energy also monthly.
Publication strategy
In February provisional figures on renewable electricity are published referring to the preceding year. In April provisional figures are published on total renewable energy. These provisional figures only refer to the main topics. In June revised provisional figures are published on all details. In December definite figures on the preceding year are published. All figures are published via StatLine. The four five StatLine tables are also available in English. Newsworthy figures, in any case the provisional figures, are also published in Statistics Netherlands’ Web Magazine, which is also translated into English. Each year a report (Renewable Energy in the Netherlands) is published, containing an explanation of the main developments, comparisons with other European Countries and methodological notes.
How is the survey carried out?
Survey type
Renewable energy is used via various combinations of energy sources (e.g. wind and biomass) and techniques (e.g. wind turbines and wood stoves). The type of survey depends on the combination of source and technique. Where possible, administrative sources and/or information from other Statistics Netherlands surveys are used. Major examples are the administration of CertiQ’s certificates for Guarantees of Origin for green electricity and Statistics Netherlands’ survey of production, conversion and use of energy which is primarily used for the electricity and energy balance sheets. For solar energy, heat pumps and wood stoves with a capacity of more than 18 kW, the suppliers of the related renewable energy systems are approached. For some techniques key numbers are used to deduce target variables which are hard to monitor (e.g. renewable energy production by a large number of small installations) from variables which are more easily monitored (e.g. the capacity of installations). These key numbers are set in the Protocol Monitoring Renewable Energy (AgentschapNL, 2010). Renewable Energy in the Netherlands describes the details of the survey method for each technology.
Survey method
Use of administrative sources and surveys (written, digital and telephone).
Respondents
Administration operators and suppliers of renewable energy systems.
Sample size
All suppliers of renewable energy systems receive a questionnaire. Depending on the type of system a few dozen suppliers at the most are involved. Annually, about 200 companies receive a questionnaire.
Checking and correction methods
If possible, independent sources of information are used for purposes of reference: e.g. environmental reports for the government. Furthermore questionnaires are judged on internal consistency by checking the conversion efficiencies and by comparing them with previous years. In the case of unexpected developments that influence aggregated results, the data supplier is asked for confirmation. At the aggregate level, AgentschapNL and professional organisations are consulted, especially if large inaccuracies are suspected.
Weighting
Renewable energy statistics are based on complete administrative sources and census surveys of small populations. Non-response is corrected by imputation using information from preceding years or data on value added tax.
How accurate are the results?
Accuracy
The level of accuracy depends on the technique. In Renewable Energy in the Netherlands the accuracy is quantified for each technology.
Sequential comparability
The method has been changed several times since the start of the survey. However, breaks in time series are corrected as far as possible. Therefore, the figures from 1990 onwards are sequentially comparable.
Quality strategy
See section on checking and correction methods