Energy conservation in the Netherlands, 1995-2002

Energy savings in the Netherlands in the period 1995-2002 amounted to an average of 1.0% a year. This means that the Dutch objective for energy savings, 1.3% a year, was not met.

Developments in energy conservation

Energy savings in the Netherlands in the period 1995-2002 amounted to an average of 1.0% a year. The trend in the rate for energy savings is downwards. This trend is mainly determined by energy prices and the conservation policy.

Policy

The Ministry for Economic Affairs adopted an objective for energy savings of 1.3% a year for the period 1995-2020. This objective is associated with the new method for determining energy-conservation statistics. This method was developed in 2002 by Statistics Netherlands, NOVEM, ECN, RIVM and the Central Planning Office and set out in the Energy Conservation Protocol. The objective contributes to the implementation of international agreements about the climate issue.

Technical note

Energy conservation is defined as 'using less energy when engaging in the same activities or fulfilling the same functions'. In order to determine energy savings, then, one must determine how much energy would have been used without conservation measures: the benchmark level. The difference between the amount of energy actually used and the benchmark level is the saving.

In the protocol, this principle is used for six end-use sectors (industry, transport, households, services, agriculture and refineries), for the energy sector and for the Netherlands as a whole. The saving is determined in stages as follows:

• saving in energy demand in the end-use sectors on the basis of the difference between the benchmark level and actual use;
• saving as a result of more efficient conversion by end users due to heat/power plants;
• saving at the point of energy conversion in the energy sector.

This method makes it possible to calculate a saving for every year compared to a benchmark year (in this case: 1995). In order to calculate a saving that is less susceptible to annual fluctuations, a three-year average is calculated for each year on the basis of the year in question and the two preceding years. The margin shown consists of the uncertainty margin in the energy statistics and the uncertainty margin in the determination of 'energy use before savings'. Combining these two margins gives the final uncertainty margin for the figures shown.

References

• Boonekamp, P.G.M., A. Gijsen and H.H.J. Vreuls (2004). Gerealiseerde energiebesparing 1995 -2002: Conform Protocol Monitoring Energiebesparing. Petten, ECN, RIVM/MNP, SENTER/NOVEM.
• Gijsen, A. and P.G.M. Boonekamp (2004). Onzekerheden in energiebesparingscijfers. Bilthoven, RIVM/MNP, ECN.
• Jeeninga, H., Honig, E., Dril, A.W.N. van, Harmsen, R. (2002). Effect van energie- en milieubeleid op broeikasgasemissies in de periode 1990-2000, Petten, ECN/RIVM
• Boonekamp, P., Tinbergen, W., Vreuls, H.H.J., Wesselink, B.. (2002). Protocol Monitoring Energiebesparing. Petten, CPB, ECN, Novem, RIVM.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Guide to societal developments relating to energy supply
• Guide to energy resources
• Guide to 'Energy measures' section