The annual report 'Mineral and geothermal resources in the Netherlands' reports on the activities and results of hydrocarbon, rock salt and geothermal exploration and extraction in the Netherlands. It also discusses the status and future of underground storage of substances for temporary storage (natural gas, oil and nitrogen) and permanent storage (salt water and CO2). Thus, all exploration, extraction and storage activities in the Netherlands on land and the Dutch part at sea covered by the Mining Act are reported together.
20 out of 32 wells operational
For geothermal energy, it remains true that it is almost exclusively projects for greenhouse horticulture, despite noises and a desire to use geothermal energy for the built environment as well. Of the 32 projects mentioned in the report, 28 focus on greenhouse horticulture, 2 also the built environment and 2 exclusively on the built environment.
Of the 32 plants, 20 were operational in 2023. Of the 12 non-operational plants, 4 plants are enclosed and 6 plants are in the start-up phase. The remaining 2 non-operational geothermal production plants were shut down in 2018 for fear of earthquake risk.
Index photo: Geothermal Maasdijk is becoming operational, but was not in 2023.