Natural Resources & Energy

Abstract

The Dutch subsurface is relatively rich in natural resources. The Netherlands has mainly been self-supporting with respect to its energy needs. Wind energy has been used to drain the polders and thick peat occurrences provided enough fuel for heating for powering industries. Today, the Dutch are significant global players in terms of natural gas and rock salt production and transport. Discoveries of giant natural gas resources in Groningen in the late 1950s generated a major energy transition and construction of a nation-wide network of gas pipes. Moreover, Dutch gas addresses more than 25% of NW Europe’s demands. Regardless decades of production, large gas reserves still occur in the subsurface which contains significant oilfields and coal resources as well.

The Dutch are now moving towards a next energy transition, i.e. from fossil to alternative and sustainable energy sources (Sect. 4.3). Such alternative energy sources may include solar, wind, water, geothermal, biofuel and nuclear power. Strategies for new technologies and policy directions in energy supply and demand have been developed and political support collected. The Dutch energy market is privatised.

The Netherlands contain sufficient fresh water and construction materials as sand and clay to be self-supportive. Dutch soils are a very important natural resource and were made highly productive by many generations of agricultural engineers (Sect. 4.6). The Dutch surface is used intensively, making underground space – an often forgotten natural resource – of growing interest (Sect. 4.7).

Natural resources exploitation may jeopardise ground stability and cause land subsidence and earthquakes which is a current matter of public concern on gas exploitation in the province of Groningen (Sect. 4.8).