Netherlands to Become Net Gas Importer in Coming Decade, says IEA

The Netherlands will become a net importer of natural gas in the coming decade, said the International Energy Agency, suggesting that the second gas producer in Europe should bet on decarbonisation and electricity-market integration.

“Integrating the electricity systems across borders with new interconnections ensures resource efficiency. Europe’s energy markets need to be efficient and make renewable energies an integral part,” Executive Director Van der Hoeven noted in a note released on Tuesday.

The international body also asked the Netherlands to consider tapping its unconventional reserves. 

‘Among the key recommendations, the IEA report calls for consolidation of security of supply during the transition to becoming a net gas importer by assessing the security and resilience of the energy system, and by supporting the development of indigenous potential, including energy efficiency, renewable energies and the remaining natural gas production potential in small or/and unconventional gas fields,’ reads the press release.

The comments come during IEA’s presentation of its report Energy Policies of IEA countries – The Netherlands 2014.