Traditional energy is too expensive, the Dutch focus on new energy
Due to soaring natural gas prices and rising electricity bills over the past two years, coupled with high electricity rates, many Dutch households cannot afford expensive energy bills and are in financial difficulty. Fortunately, the winter weather has been mild in the past two years, which has reduced energy consumption. According to statistics from the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), per capita energy consumption in 2022 will be 154 GJ.
Historical data shows that per capita energy consumption reached its highest level between 1995 and 2010. But as emerging technologies make homes and cars more energy efficient, per capita energy consumption has been falling since 2013.
The Netherlands has been importing natural gas from abroad for the past two years, with imports increasing year after year as the government gradually closes the Groningen gas field in the north. Last year, the Netherlands' dependence on foreign energy increased to 77% of all storage capacity. But natural gas prices have been high for a long time, with the average household paying 37% more for gas and electricity than in 2021. This means they pay an extra 630 euros per year.
To save money, many families are turning to new energy sources. According to statistics from the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), the number of houses equipped with solar panels in the Netherlands will grow rapidly in 2022, doubling that in 2021. Enterprise Bureau expects solar power generation to increase from a peak of 19 GW at the end of last year to 31 GW by 2025.
Poor students can receive a one-time subsidy of 400 euros
In October, following the House of Representatives, the Senate finally approved the One-time Energy Subsidy Act of 2023. Municipalities can start helping low-income households cope with high energy costs, as they did in 2022. Depending on the annual household income, the subsidy amount will be between 800 and 1,300 euros, with the specific amount determined by the local municipalities. Many councils want energy subsidies to be automatically paid to households that received subsidies last year without having to apply again, in a bid to get them out as quickly as possible. Families or individuals who have not received notification only need to apply to their local city hall to receive the subsidy, as long as they meet the requirements.
It is reported that the cabinet had announced as early as last September’s budget day that energy subsidies would be provided to low-income households again this year. When the energy crisis began last year, the government arranged emergency energy subsidies without legal approval. But a spokesman for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment said the situation this year was very different from last year. The government has introduced several measures to provide relief and increase purchasing power, so we can no longer bypass the law and directly issue energy subsidies. Municipalities can release the money only after parliament approves it.
Deputy Prime Minister Carola Schouten said, "Although energy bills are lower than last year, they are still high." "With energy subsidies, we were able to help people get out of trouble in a targeted way last year." She said she was optimistic about continuing this year. Measures to be happy with.
This year's bill also creates special programs for needy students. They will receive a one-time stipend of €400 through the National Education Executive Unit (DUO). The same applies to students receiving a basic and supplementary grant, as well as to students who have studied for a longer period and have previously received a supplementary grant. This subsidy will be paid from January 2024.