Green energy use up in Netherlands

Dutch use of renewable energy sources made up 4.5 percent of the energy market in 2013, according to figures released this week by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The figure shows no gain over renewable energy use a year earlier.

The Netherlands will have to increase those numbers three-fold in order to hit European green energy targets slated for 2020.

Use of renewable electricity dropped, despite an increase in electricity generated by windmills. Renewable heating energy use, comprised mainly of municipal waste incinerators that heat water for home use, was also up.

Stricterregulations on oil companies are expected to lead to further increases in biofuel delivery for motor vehicles in the coming years.