Dutch Cabinet holds off on energy cuts despite International Energy Agency warning

The Dutch government said it does not yet see the need to encourage citizens to reduce car use or limit energy consumption, even as the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned of a potential energy crisis.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated during a press conference after the weekly Council of Ministers meeting that the measures suggested by the IEA to cut oil and gas use are “mainly relevant for other countries.” He added that the Netherlands has already made significant strides in energy conservation in recent years.

“We already learned a tough lesson in 2022,” Jetten said, alluding to the gas crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Many energy-saving measures have already been put in place.” According to the prime minister, this has left the Netherlands and Europe “better prepared than other regions of the world” for the economic fallout of the war in the Middle East.

Minister Vincent Karremans of Infrastructure (VVD) said there is still sufficient gasoline available and declined to preemptively adopt measures in case oil supplies from the Middle East decline. “That is dependent on so many factors,” he said.

The IEA has recommended increased remote work, but Minister Thierry Aartsen of Labor (VVD) rejected the idea. “People should mainly decide for themselves where and how they work,” he said.

Gas supply security also remains stable, according to Minister Stientje van Veldhoven of Climate (D66). “The gas for Europe mainly comes from the United States. Naturally, there is an effect if a large gas field is destroyed, which you see reflected in price increases,” she said.

Gas storage is nearly empty but will begin to be refilled on April 1 for the next winter season. Initially, private market actors will handle the refilling, but if high prices prevent them from doing so, Van Veldhoven said the state-owned company EBN could step in. “If necessary, the government will ensure these gas reserves are filled,” she said. The cabinet has prepared a range of options to address rising energy costs but is not intervening yet.