Photo: Traveler100 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Netherlands: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Netherlands is placed 31st of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 250.77 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 50.74 (2024).
Share
Energy
31st
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Netherlands on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
250.77
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Netherlands: 250.77. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Western Europe
- 40.34 France
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 126.93
50.74
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Netherlands: 50.74. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Western Europe
- 90.73 Luxembourg
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 35.2
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
77.6
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 14th of 99 by World Energy Council
Netherlands: 77.6. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Western Europe
- 82.1 Switzerland
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 77.1 · Germany 80.2
02Over time
Which way Netherlands is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
NetherlandsWorld median
Netherlands fell from 540.34 in 2000 to 250.77 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Netherlands World median 2024 250.77 433.7 2023 268.19 452.7 2022 325.70 476.3 2021 351.92 469.0 2020 342.91 482.0 2019 410.04 488.2 2018 467.11 500.4 2017 489.82 506.3 2016 524.62 521.9 2015 551.45 524.8 2014 521.36 522.3 2013 500.62 508.8 2012 494.49 525.4 2011 472.35 521.4 2010 478.21 515.5 2009 486.73 533.6 2008 494.47 517.2 2007 509.89 535.3 2006 511.48 537.5 2005 511.69 521.4 2004 522.74 523.1 2003 540.76 543.1 2002 538.68 551.3 2001 541.05 559.3 2000 540.34 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
NetherlandsWorld median
Netherlands rose from 3.373 in 2000 to 50.74 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Netherlands World median 2024 50.7 32.062 2023 47.4 28.000 2022 40.1 28.881 2021 33.5 28.286 2020 26.8 27.125 2019 19.0 26.296 2018 16.7 25.505 2017 15.0 24.023 2016 13.0 22.218 2015 12.6 21.915 2014 11.4 21.151 2013 12.0 21.593 2012 12.2 19.869 2011 10.9 18.584 2010 9.5 18.572 2009 9.6 17.886 2008 9.0 15.923 2007 7.3 15.586 2006 8.3 15.392 2005 7.6 16.438 2004 5.3 16.445 2003 4.1 16.339 2002 4.2 13.826 2001 3.6 14.023 2000 3.4 15.612
03In context
Netherlands beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Netherlands and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 31st | 250.77 | 50.74 | 77.6 |
 Belgium | 32nd | 126.93 | 35.2 | 77.1 |
 Germany | not placed | — | — | 80.2 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Netherlands in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Netherlands is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Netherlands does better than the middle country measured.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27945.215.279▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 45.21 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2682.6133.26▲ Improved since 2013
Netherlands: 82.61 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2378.8948.23▼ Worsened since 2013
Netherlands: 78.89 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7711.4625.77No earlier reading
Netherlands: 11.46 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 139th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8513.0624.85No earlier reading
Netherlands: 13.06 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3253.6637.32▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 53.66 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 67th of 162 · derived.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Netherlands does worse than the middle country measured.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7383.0622.738▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 3.062 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 06.1060▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 6.106 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.216.2973.21▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 6.297 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 45th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Netherlands: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Netherlands: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Netherlands: 100 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14424.050.144Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 24.05 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 10012,022100No earlier reading
Netherlands: 12,022 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 02.9180No real change since 2014
Netherlands: 2.918 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.5179.0649.5Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 179.06 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04917.843.049Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 17.84 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 09.6830Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 9.683 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5253,500525No earlier reading
Netherlands: 3,500 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58536.22.585Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 36.2 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.7350.077Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 0.735 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 021.470No real change since 2015
Netherlands: 21.47 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.850.07412.85No real change since 2014
Netherlands: 0.074 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-3.4490Moved since 2014
Netherlands: -3.449 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2732.8654.273No earlier reading
Netherlands: 2.865 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
No current reading for Netherlands
RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Netherlands’s 16 topics
Energy is Netherlands’s 11th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade4th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality5th of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour7th of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation8th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital9th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 13th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology15th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties18th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge21st of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 26th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy31st of 1653/3 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 37th of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience39th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing45th of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 46th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability110th of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Netherlands can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysHighest in Western Europe
Austria7th3/3 keysThis page
Netherlands31st3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Netherlands on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Netherlands rank on energy?
Netherlands is placed 31st of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Netherlands?
250.77 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Netherlands?
50.74 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Netherlands compare with Germany on energy?
Germany is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and Netherlands 31st. World Energy Trilemma Index: Germany 80.2, Netherlands 77.6.
How have Netherlands’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 540.34 in 2000 to 250.77 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 3.373 in 2000 to 50.74 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Netherlands?
No current reading is published for Netherlands on RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Netherlands’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Netherlands (banner) — Traveler100, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Netherlands: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/netherlands/energy