WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

4.4.6 The Netherlands
European Small Hydropower Association, Stream Map
Key facts
Population 16,730,632 1
Area 41,543 km 2
Climate Temperate; marine; cool summers and
mild winters
Topography Mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed
land (polders); some hills in southeast
Rain pattern Average annual precipitation is 847 mm. 2
Electricity sector overview
The Netherlands produced a total of 118,138.9 GWh of
electricity in 2010, mainly based on gas, and imported
electricity at 15,584 GWh (figure 1). The Netherlands is
also working with Belgium, Luxembourg, France and
Germany on an integrated North-West European
electricity market.
Fuel Oil
Solar Energy
Hydropow er
Non-Biogenic Waste
Nuclear Energy
Wind Energy
Other Non-Renew able Sources
Biomass
Imported Electricity
Hard Coal
Natural Gas
0.02%
0.04%
0.08%
2.43%
2.97%
2.99%
3.23%
5.20%
11.65%
16.37%
55.02%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in the Netherlands
Source: Statistics Netherlands 3
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
Small hydropower accounts for a minor part of the
hydropower production (less than 8 per cent), only
three plants have a capacity between 0.1 and 10 MW;
and a few plants have a capacity under 0.1 MW.
SHP installed
capacity
SHP potential
n/a
3 MW
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in the
Netherlands
In 2010, the Netherlands had 17 small hydropower
plants and a total installed capacity of 3 MW (8 GWh)
(figure 2). By 2020, the aim is to have a total of 25
plants. Many small watermills could still be reactivated.
No exact potential estimate is available presently. A
report issued by Deltares in April 2010 identified the
overall hydro potential from rivers as 100 MW, the small
hydropower potential has not been estimated.
Renewable energy policy
The European target for renewable energy in the
Netherlands is 14 per cent in 2020. The production of
renewable energy will be promoted with the following
instruments: 4
• Sustainable Energy Incentive Scheme Plus (SDE+).
• Obligation for use of biofuels in the transport sector.
• Co-firing with biomass in coal-fired power stations.
• Import of renewable energy.
The growth should mainly be sourced from wind,
biomass and photovoltaic; hydropower is expected to
account for less than one per cent.
Legislation on small hydropower
Small hydropower is mainly supported by the
Stimulering Duurzame Energie (SDE) operating subsidy
and the Energy Investment Allowance tax deduction.
The SDE+ in 2011 has changed compared to the SDE
subsidy that started in 2008. The SDE offers long-term
(15 years for hydropower) financial security by covering
the unprofitable component of projects. The subsidy is
the difference between a basic amount (cost price of
the renewable energy) and the energy market price. In
2011, application was open during four different time
slots. Each slot had a different limit. The Dutch
Government determined a maximum SDE+ budget for
2011. If this maximum is reached in a certain slot, no
SDE+ is available for the next slots. This means: first
come, first serve, and the projects that tender in the
first slot (with lower subsidy) have the best chance to
get the subsidy awarded.
For small hydropower plants with a height 5 metres: 7.1
euro cents/kWh (minus the energy market price)
maximum for 4,800 hours.
The Energy Investment Allowance tax deduction ensures
that 44 per cent of the investment costs can be
deducted from the taxable profit.
Barriers to small hydropower development
The main limitation results from the low hydrological
potential in a flat country. Moreover, it is very difficult
to obtain Waterwet (water law) and Natuurbeschermingswet
(nature preservation law) permits,
due to new fish mortality requirements. While almost all
sites are government property; no government policy is
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