Dutch coal-fired power plants operating at full capacity this year

The coal-fired power plants in the Netherlands are operating this year at a level that is higher than in previous years. This is largely due to rising energy prices and increased electricity demand from Belgium, reports FD based on data from the National Energy Dashboard.

According to the figures, coal-fired power generation has already surpassed the total production for all of 2024 up to August 14 this year. Despite this increase, production so far has still lagged behind the figures for 2025, but it is expected that this will also increase in the future.

The strong demand for electricity from Belgium has contributed to the renewed activity of Dutch coal-fired power plants. Since these plants are often deployed as a last resort, their output closely correlates with fluctuations in energy prices.

The high energy prices are a significant factor that prompts electricity producers to use coal-fired power plants more frequently. This has led to a substantial increase in the amount of delivered kilowatt-hours to foreign countries, especially to Belgium.

The production figures are striking, as they show an early peak in coal-fired electricity generation. This could indicate a shift in how and when coal plants are utilized within the energy mix of the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, long-term concerns remain regarding the use of coal-fired power plants, even though they are currently being used more frequently. The dependence on this energy source could have implications for the transition to sustainable energy sources.