More politicians want to lower household energy bills by increasing national debt
A majority in the Tweede Kamer supports exploring a plan to allocate billions of euros annually to state-owned electricity grid operator TenneT in an effort to curb soaring energy costs for households and businesses, according to De Telegraaf. The proposal, backed by D66, would reportedly increase the national debt, but lawmakers argue it is a necessary investment for the future.
The Dutch government has been weighing its response for weeks after officials calculated that 195 billion euros will be needed by 2040 to reinforce the electricity grid. Of this amount, 88 billion euros is required for offshore wind infrastructure, contradicting previous claims that renewable energy would be nearly cost-free.
The cost of electricity in the Netherlands has surged to levels far higher than neighboring countries, with Dutch businesses paying twice as much as their German counterparts and three times more than those in France. High energy costs have already led to industrial shutdowns and significant job losses.
According to an internal government study, an annual state investment of 3 billion euros would lead to savings of 150 euros per year for households, De Telegraaf reports. For businesses, grid fees—which currently account for 20-30 percent of their energy costs—could be cut by 50 percent, ultimately reducing total energy expenses by around 15 percent in the long run.
D66 lawmaker Ilana Rooderkerk acknowledged that offshore wind power is not free but insisted that government investment is essential to prevent these costs from being passed down to consumers. “The government must act now. Businesses are collapsing, and people can no longer afford their energy bills,” Rooderkerk said.
She submitted a motion requesting Climate Minister Rob Jetten to explore large-scale capital injections into TenneT. The motion has secured enough parliamentary support to pass.
Hans Vijlbrief, a former state secretary of finance and a key financial voice within D66, defended the proposal, saying, “By allowing national debt to rise, we spread the costs over future generations who will also benefit from this investment. I believe this is a responsible decision.”
The argument for increased public debt as a funding source has drawn criticism from the VVD. Silvio Erkens, a VVD lawmaker, accused D66 of hypocrisy, noting that their ministers had previously pushed for higher energy prices to incentivize industry toward greener alternatives. Rooderkerk responded by pointing out that the VVD was also part of the coalition government that implemented those policies.
Despite these clashes, both parties ultimately agreed that energy costs are too high and that urgent action is needed. Erkens endorsed the D66 motion, stating, “Our industry is under extreme pressure due to high energy costs and the lack of a level playing field with neighboring countries. To keep Dutch industry competitive, we must bring down energy costs. Lowering grid fees is a key part of that strategy, and we need to develop solutions quickly.”
