Robust increase in electricity output from renewable energy sources

Domestic production of renewable electricity has risen considerably in the first six months of 2005. The output of renewable electricity in this period accounted for 6,4 percent of total domestic electricity use, as against 3.8 percent last year.

Sharp growth biomass incineration

Electricity generated by the incineration of biomass in electricity plants increased from about 1 percent in 2004 to approximately 3 percent in the first half of 2005. Thus biomass incineration is the main cause of the increase in renewable electricity output.

More wind energy

In the first six months of 20055 wind energy contributed 1.9 percent to electricity consumption. In the same period in 2004 the contribution of wind energy was 1.7 percent. The increase is the result of additional output capacity.

Imports renewable electricity falling

Imports of renewable electricity fell from 9 percent of total electricity use in 2004 to about 6 percent over the first half of 2005, thus approaching the volume of domestic production. A complete cut-off of state subsidies for imports of renewable electricity as from 1 January 2005 accounts for declining imports.

Domestic electricity use continues to rise

Domestic electricity use is rising continually. In the first six months of 2005, it was almost 2 percent up on the same period one year previously and more than 10 percent higher than in the first six months of 2000.

Reinoud Segers and Dào Nguyen