Dutch water authorities are producing more energy but are also using more energy. The water authorities are sticking to the ambition of becoming energy-neutral but this will be achieved later than expected due to various developments. This is according to the Climate Monitor Water Authorities, published today.
The report, prepared by Arcadis, examines the progress of the water authorities’ ambitions for climate and sustainability, both within the individual water board and the entire water board sector. In addition, the monitor is also a good instrument for individual water authorities to steer policy and projects in the areas of climate neutrality, circularity, and sustainable commissioning.
The water authorities are making progress in their sustainable energy production, C02 reduction and sustainability. However, their own energy consumption increased. Partly due to grid congestion, the ambition to become energy-neutral will be achieved later than expected.
Sustainable energy generation
In 2023, the water authorities generated a total of 4,505 TJp of renewable energy – up 8.2 % compared to 2022. Total energy consumption was 7,236 TJp. This results in a percentage of self-generated renewable energy of 62.3% in 2023.
The largest source of renewable energy production is the production of biogas through sludge digestion at wastewater treatment plants (66%), but the share of solar power (14%) and wind energy (12%) is increasing. Compared to last year, the amount of energy generated by wind turbines has significantly increased. The amount was 330 TJp (63 million kWh) in 2022 and rose to 550 TJp (105 million kWh) in 2023. For example, in Duiven, at the largest sewage treatment plant, located at the InnoFase business park, two wind turbines were built in September 2023.Renewable energy production by making assets available to third parties in 2022 equaled 11.3% (819 TJp) of the total energy consumption of all water authorities.
Rise in Energy consumption
Total energy consumption increased by nearly 8% in 2023 compared to 2022, which can largely be explained by the increased use of sewage and surface water pumping stations due to the large amounts of precipitation in 2023. This concerns both an absolute increase and a 1.3% increase in energy consumption per pollution unit. Due to the large amounts of precipitation, energy consumption per hectare in the pumped area was on average more than 40% higher in 2023 compared to 2022. Despite energy efficiency measures, further increases are expected due to factors such as stricter water quality requirements, energy consumption for green gas production, population growth, and the impact of climate change.
It is notable that in 2022, the water authorities once again supplied more green gas to the grid, 22.5 million Nm³, than the amount of natural gas they purchased.
Electricity purchased
Purchased electricity increased by 15% in 2023 compared to 2022. Of the 21 water authorities, 16 indicate that, when their current contract expires, they intend to buy green electricity from the Netherlands (again). Of these, 12 water authorities indicate that they plan to buy green electricity (wind and/or solar) generated on land, and four water authorities indicate that they plan to buy green electricity (wind and/or solar) generated at sea.
Delay in achieving climate neutrality ambition
There are a growing number of developments affecting the realisation of climate ambitions. For one, grid congestion, as a result of which sufficient grid connections cannot be obtained for the feed-in of sustainably generated energy from solar and wind projects Other developments are stricter water quality requirements, rising costs and political discussions in the region about, for instance, locations for solar and wind energy projects.
The water authorities’ ultimate ambition is to be climate-neutral by 2035. The water authorities also want to be fully circular by 2050, with an interim step of a 50% reduction in the use of primary raw materials by 2030. Read the full report here (part in English). Source: Union of Water Authorities Statistics: Climate Monitor Water Authorities (Klimaatmonitor Waterschappen)
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