Abstract
In 2017 over 500 projects were counted in the Netherlands, aiming at creating a joint ownership structure for local renewable energy utilities; the number of energy cooperatives has substantially increased. There is not only potential for consumer activism and (co-)ownership, there is also societal momentum. Although these developments have not escaped political attention and distributed energy was emphasized in the Energy Agreement, a wide legal operationalization has not yet taken place. There is, however, one exception: the Decree of 2014 concerning “Experimental de-central sustainable energy production” which defined experimental energy projects, aimed at the production and self-supply of energy for a period of 10 years. With respect to onshore wind energy, a soft-legal instrument outlines that onshore wind farms should be open to financial and non-financial participation of residents. Furthermore, consumer (co-)ownership received explicit recognition of its crucial role in the 2018 recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) as part of the Clean Energy Package. Most collective RE projects are cooperatives; others opt for a foundation or a limited liability company. Many of the cooperatives that have emerged in the Netherlands aim at the collective purchasing of solar panels, with 14 MWp installed capacity of solar panels realized in 2016. It is estimated that 3 per cent of wind turbines on land were cooperatively owned in 2016. The role of municipalities in RE generation and supply is one of facilitation and collaboration. Many collective RE projects are sited on communal property such as schools or libraries. Local authorities also provide advice and support in the planning phase of collective projects.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
This concerns a so-called closed distribution system. An exemption to the traditional situation in which a DSO is responsible for the grid (see Article 10 of the Electricity Act and Article 10 of the Gas Act) can only be granted if the grid is small and serves less than 500 non-household consumers and the exemption is requested due to specific technical or safety reasons caused by a specific business or product.
- 2.
Articles 10b of the Electricity Act and 2c of the Gas Act.
- 3.
In this agreement it was recognized that distributed energy can provide 1,000,000 households by 2020, which translates into 40 PJ. It was furthermore acknowledged that any barriers, be it organizational, legal and/or financial, should be removed as much as possible. Apart from the above-described “Experiment Decree”, substantiation however lacks.
- 4.
- 5.
For this reason, the Netherlands pushes for the removal of all energy poverty provisions as presented in the Winter Package by the EU. See Kamerstukken II 2017–2018 21 501-33 nr. 666.
- 6.
Regeling afsluitbeleid voor kleinverbruikers van elektriciteit en gas.
- 7.
This rule emerged as prosumers with smart meters were disadvantaged compared to prosumers with analogue meters with which the supplied kWh is automatically deducted from the consumed kWh.
- 8.
HierOpgewekt defines collective solar as projects developed, managed and/or owned collectively by citizens, including those where citizens can participate financially (Hieropgewekt 2017a, p. 20).
- 9.
Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EC and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC, OL J 315, 14 November 2012, pp. 1–56; Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC.
References
Akerboom, S., & van der Linden, F. (2018). Van gas los! Maar dan? Juridische aspecten van de verduurzaming van de warmtevoorziening, TBR, 53, p. 352
Alfam. (n.d.). GreenLoans. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://www.greenloans.nl/.
Attema-van Waas, A. R., & Rijken, M. (2013). Succesfactoren voor lokale duurzame energie-initiatieven-Learning Histories van vier cases. Retrieved from https://repository.tudelft.nl/view/tno/uuid:875de21f-9b52-41c8-a97d-4cb36731c724/.
Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM). (2017). Goedkeuring berekeningsmethodiek tarieven VvE Collegepark Zwijsen. Retrieved from https://www.acm.nl/nl/publicaties/publicatie/16893/Goedkeuring-berekeningsmethodiek-tarieven-VvE-Collegepark-Zwijsen.
Blokhuis, E., Advokaat, B., & Schaefer, W. (2012). Assessing the performance of Dutch local energy companies. Energy Policy, 45, 680–690.
Boon, F. P., & Dieperink, C. (2014). Local civil society based renewable energy organisations in the Netherlands: Exploring the factors that stimulate their emergence and development. Energy Policy, 69, 297–307.
Bureau woordvoering kabinetsformatie. (2017). Confidence in the future 2017–2021 coalition agreement. Retrieved from https://www.kabinetsformatie2017.nl/documenten/verslagen/2017/10/10/coalition-agreement-confidence-in-the-future.
CBS. (2017). Hernieuwbare energie in Nederland 2016. Retrieved from https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/publicatie/2017/39/hernieuwbare-energie-in-nederland-2016.
CBS Statline. (2018). Hernieuwbare elektriciteit; productie en vermogen. Retrieved from http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=82610ned&D1=a&D2=0-2,5-10&D3=24-27&HDR=T&STB=G1,G2&VW=T.
Collegepark Zwijsen. (n.d.). Collegepark Zwijsen. Retrieved February, 2018, from http://www.collegeparkzwijsen.nl/
Duurzaam Ameland. (n.d.-a). Over ons. Retrieved August 23, 2017, from http://www.duurzaamameland.nl/over-ons/.
Duurzaam Ameland. (n.d.-b). Projecten. Retrieved August 23, 2017, from http://www.duurzaamameland.nl/projecten/.
Elzenga, H., & Schwenke, M. (2014). Energiecoöperaties: ambities, handelingsperspectief en interactie met gemeenten. De energieke samenleving in praktijk (p. PBL). Den Haag.
Elzenga, H., & Schwenke, M. (2015). Condities voor een grotere rol van energiecooperaties in hernieuwbare elektriciteitsopwekking. TPE Digitaal, Bd. 2, 52–62. Retrieved from https://www.tpedigitaal.nl/archief/2-2015/paper/412.
EUROSTAT. (2018a). Renewable energy statistics. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Renewable_energy_statistics.
EUROSTAT. (2018b). Press release, share of renewables in energy consumption in the EU reached 17% in 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2018, from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8612324/8-25012018-AP-EN.pdf/9d28caef-1961-4dd1-a901-af18f121fb2d.
Hekkenberg, M., & Lensink, H. M. (2013). 16% Hernieuwbare energie in 2020—Wanneer aanbesteden? Retrieved from https://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2013/e13006.pdf.
Hieropgewekt. (2016). Lokale Energie Monitor 2016. Retrieved from https://www.hieropgewekt.nl/nieuws/lokale-energie-monitor-2016.
Hieropgewekt. (2017a). Lokale Energie Monitor 2017. Retrieved from https://www.hieropgewekt.nl/lokale-energie-monitor.
Hieropgewekt. (2017b). Collectieve wind: Waar staan we? Retrieved from https://www.hieropgewekt.nl/kennisdossiers/collectieve-wind-waar-staan-we.
Hieropgewekt. (2017c). Postcoderoosregeling: De regeling in het kort. Retrieved from https://www.hieropgewekt.nl/kennisdossiers/postcoderoosregeling-regeling-in-het-kort.
Hoppe, T., Graf, A., Warbroek, B., Lammers, I., & Lepping, I. (2015). Local governments supporting local energy initiatives: Lessons from the best practices of Saerbeck (Germany) and Lochem (The Netherlands). Sustainability, 7(2), 1900–1931.
Hufen, J. A. M., & Koppenjan, J. F. M. (2015). Local renewable energy cooperatives: Revolution in disguise? Energy, Sustainability and Society, 5(1), 18.
IEA. (2017a). Netherlands—Energy system overview. Retrieved from http://www.iea.org/media/countries/Netherlands.pdf.
IEA. (2017b). Netherlands offshore wind energy act (Wet Wind op Zee). Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/netherlands/name-158557-en.php.
Milieucentraal. (n.d.). Energiebespaarlening. Retrieved August, 2017, from https://www.milieucentraal.nl/energie-besparen/energiezuinig-huis/financiering-energie-besparen/energiebespaarlening/.
Noothout, P., & Winkel, T. (2016). Auctions for renewable support: Lessons learn from international experiences. AURES report D4.1-NL. Retrieved from http://www.auresproject.eu/files/media/documents/aures_wp4_synthesis_report.pdf.
NWEA. (2016). Gedragscode Acceptatie & Participatie Wind Energie op Land [Behavioural code acceptance and participation on shore wind energy]. Available in Dutch on http://www.nwea.nl/images/PDFs/20161215-Gedragscode-Acceptatie%2D%2DParticipatie-Windenergie-op-Land.pdf.
Ode Decentraal. (2017). Plaatselijke coöperaties nemen aandeel windmolen Alkmaar over. Retrieved from https://www.duurzameenergie.org/nieuws/2017-10-24-plaatselijke-cooperaties-nemen-aandeel-windmolen-alkmaar-over.
Oteman, M., Wiering, M., & Helderman, J. K. (2014). The institutional space of community initiatives for renewable energy: A comparative case study of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 4(1), 11.
Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving (PBL). (2016). De doelen uit het energieakkoord voor windenergie zijn haalbaar met veel inspanning. Retrieved from http://themasites.pbl.nl/balansvandeleefomgeving/jaargang-2016/themas/energie-en-klimaat/windenergie-op-land-en-zee.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). (2016, December 16). De historische impact van salderen—Onderzoek voor het Ministerie van Economische Zaken. Retrieved from http://www.hollandsolar.nl/downloads/1378/de-historische-impact-van-salderen.pdf.
Proka, A., & Hisschemöller, M. (2017, June 20). Innovation without conflict? On the state of affairs of the energy transition in the Netherlands. Presented at the sustainability transitions conference 2017, Gothenborg, Sweden.
Rabobank. (2018). Zonne-energie. Retrieved from https://www.rabobank.nl/bedrijven/cijfers-en-trends/duurzame-energie/zonne-energie/.
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). (2010, September). The green funds scheme. A success story in the making. Retrieved from https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/bijlagen/SEN040%20DOW%20A4%20Greenfunds_tcm24-119449.pdf.
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). (2017, September). SDE+ autumn 2017. Retrieved from https://english.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2017/09/Brochure%20SDE%20plus%20Autumn%202017%20ENG%20Def.pdf.
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). (n.d.-a). Stimulering Duurzame Energieproductie (SDE+). Retrieved from http://www.rvo.nl/subsidies-regelingen/stimulering-duurzame-energieproductie-sde.
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). (n.d.-b). Energy investment allowance (EIA). Retrieved August, 2017, from https://english.rvo.nl/subsidies-programmes/energy-investment-allowance-eia.
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). (n.d.-c). Subsidies & programmes. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://english.rvo.nl/subsidies-programmes?f%5B0%5D=sectoren%3A7692.
Rijksoverheid. (2014, June 30). Besluit experimenten decentrale duurzame elektriciteitsopwekking. Retrieved from https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/besluiten/2014/06/30/besluit-experimenten-decentrale-duurzame-elektriciteitsopwekking.
Rijksoverheid. (2017a). Kamerstukken II2017-2018 29 023 nr. 224. Retrieved from https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-29023-224.pdf.
Rijksoverheid. (2017b). Kamerstukken II2017-2018 21 501-33 nr. 666. Retrieved from https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-30196-566.html.
Rijksoverheid. (2017a). Verplichte gasaansluiting voor nieuwbouwwoning vervalt. Retrieved from https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2017/06/27/verplichte-gasaansluiting-voor-nieuwbouwwoning-vervalt.
Rijksoverheid. (2017b). Regeerakkoord ‘Vertrouwen in de toekomst’. Available in Dutch via https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/regering/documenten/publicaties/2017/10/10/regeerakkoord-2017-vertrouwen-in-de-toekomst.
Rijksoverheid. (2017c). Energy agenda: Towards a low-carbon energy supply. Retrieved from https://www.government.nl/documents/reports/2017/03/01/energy-agenda-towards-a-low-carbon-energy-supply.
Rijksoverheid. (2018). Kamerstukken II 2018–2019 Concept minutes of the general discussions on 5 September 2018. Retrieved from https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2018A03266.
Roos, T. (2015). Energy collectives in the Netherlands. Background players in a fossil fuel based system? Master Thesis, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Faculty of Social Sciences. Retrieved from https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/331120.
Schoots, K., Hekkenberg, M., & Hammingh, P. (2017). Nationale Energieverkenning 2017. Retrieved from https://www.ecn.nl/publicaties/ECN-O%2D%2D17-018.
Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER). (2013). Energieakkoord voor duurzame groei. Retrieved from http://www.energieakkoordser.nl/energieakkoord.aspx.
Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER). (2014). The agreement on energy for sustainable growth: A policy in practice. Retrieved from https://www.energieakkoordser.nl/~/media/files/energieakkoord/publiciteit/agreement-on-energy-policy-in-practice.ashx.
Straver, K., Siebinga, A., Mastop, J., De Lidth, M., Vethman, P., & Uyterlinde, M. (2017). Rapportage Energiearmoede. Effectieve interventies om energie efficiëntie te vergroten en energiearmoede te verlagen. Retrieved from https://www.ecn.nl/publicaties/PdfFetch.aspx?nr=ECN-E%2D%2D17-002.
SVn. (n.d.). Duurzaamheidslening. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://www.svn.nl/particulieren/lening/duurzaamheidslening#/formulier/Leencheck%20Duurzaamheidslening/pag/1.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-a). Oprichting. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/oprichting/118/.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-b). Participeren. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/participeren/125/.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-c). Voordelen Coöperatie. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/voordelen/9/.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-d). Windenergie. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/windenergie/31/.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-e). Zonne-Energie. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/zonne-energie/121/.
TexelEnergie. (n.d.-f). Zonneweide. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.texelenergie.nl/zonneweide/106/.
Van Rijn, R., Schipper, A., & van Dijk, D. (2016, March 10). Evaluatie: Gedragscode draagvlak en participatie wind op land. Retrieved from https://energeia.nl/binaries/4000/02/14/de-evaluatie.pdf.
Van Santen, H. (2017, October 10). Dit zijn de klimaatmaatregelen van Rutte III op een rij. Nrc.nl. Retrieved from https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/10/10/dit-zijn-de-klimaatmaatregelen-van-rutte-iii-op-een-rij-a1576659.
Van Santen, H., & van der Walle, E. (2017, October 6). De gascentrales gaan tijdelijk in de ‘mottenballen’. Nrc. Retrieved from https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/10/06/koud-en-stil-in-de-gascentrale-13353686-a1576217.
Vasileiadou, E., Huijben, J. C. C. M., & Raven, R. P. J. M. (2016). Three is a crowd? Exploring the potential of crowdfunding for renewable energy in the Netherlands. Journal of Cleaner Production, 128, 142–155.
Windpark Krammer. (n.d.). Investeren in Windpark Krammer nu mogelijk. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://www.windparkkrammer.nl/investeren-windpark-krammer-nu-mogelijk/.
Windvogel. (n.d.). Wie we zijn. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from http://www.windvogel.nl/wiewezijn/.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Akerboom, S., van Tulder, F. (2019). Consumer (Co-)Ownership in Renewables in the Netherlands. In: Lowitzsch, J. (eds) Energy Transition. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93518-8_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93518-8_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93517-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93518-8
eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)