Regional Energy Strategies 1.0
In the Netherlands, 30 regions have drawn up a Regional Energy Strategy (RES), the ambition being to achieve a total of 35 TWh of onshore sustainable energy generation by 2030. The power grid in the Netherlands forms the basis for these joint strategies and the impact for network operators is huge. During the coming ten years, all the network operators will invest billions in infrastructure expansion projects and a great deal of extra land will be required for this infrastructure. In the RES programmes in our service areas, we are working with government authorities, social sector organisations, the business community and residents to implement regionally supported choices.
Ambitions in RES 1.0
The decisions taken regarding RES 1.0 in 2021 represent a milestone on the path to 2030 for the RES regions. The regions have formulated ambitions that cumulatively exceed the agreed climate target for sustainable onshore generation of electricity by a significant margin. Based on analyses in 2021, the joint network operators stated that connecting 35 TWh of onshore generation to the grid by 2030 seems possible. Setting further objectives is not realistic given the major tasks facing industry and the mobility and built environment sectors, and the large amount of maintenance work that needs to be done in the coming years.
The target of 35 TWh is feasible, provided that we and all the other parties translate the RES tasks into actionable projects and draw up implementation programmes for spatial integration and building the infrastructure. These programmes must be streamlined to fit in with other developments in the energy system. RES 1.0 is not a finished product: every two years, the RES regions will update their plans based on new information and also make progress with implementation.
RES in 2022
In 2022, Liander will continue to work intensively with the RES regions, further focusing on the translation of RES 1.0 into spatial planning and on the transformation of RES 1.0 into RES 2.0. As this moves forward, the plans are becoming more concrete and we are providing increasing clarity on what expansions and working arrangements are needed for regions to achieve their sustainability ambitions.