Energy consumption marginally down in 2013

Last year, energy consumption in the Netherlands was 0.8 percent lower than in 2012. The consumption of natural gas increased due to the cold weather conditions in spring, but the consumption of petroleum derivatives decreased more rapidly. Reduced economic activities largely account for the lower consumption.

Energy consumption by energy source, 2013*

Lower consumption of petroleum derivatives

Energy consumption was lower in 2013 mainly because the use of petroleum derivatives for the manufacture of chemical products by the petrochemical industry was scaled down considerably. The use of chemical products by the petrochemical industry is always closely connected to the economic situation. As cars and lorries also used less fuel, the consumption of petroleum derivatives fell by 3 percent.

Coal consumption was stable in 2013 relative to 2012. The reduced consumption in the category other energy sources is due to maintenance work carried out at the nuclear power station in Borssele.

Natural gas consumption up

As a result of the cold weather conditions in the spring of 2013, total natural gas consumption by households and the private sector grew by 1.8 percent. Adjusted for temperature variations, consumption was approximately 1.5 percent below the level of one year previously. In 2012 and 2013, natural gas consumption was lower than in prior years, as less natural gas was used to generate electricity. Instead, more electricity was imported and generated from coal.

Natural gas consumption adjusted for temperature variations

Otto Swertz