On Wednesday, April 2, Element NL Chair Gerda Verburg appeared on the Dutch current affairs programme EenVandaag to discuss the importance of domestic gas production in a shifting geopolitical and economic landscape. Together with Greenpeace Director Andy Palmen and energy professor David Smeulders (Eindhoven University of Technology), she addressed a key question: who should the Netherlands depend on for its energy supply?
Temporary gas demand, strategic sourcing
While the ultimate goal — a fully renewable energy system — is clear, natural gas remains a vital component of the Dutch energy mix today. It currently accounts for approximately 70% of heat production and 40% of electricity generation in the Netherlands. As long as gas is still needed, the origin of that gas becomes a critical issue.
“As long as we rely on gas, we’re better off using Dutch gas. Offshore production is five times cleaner, onshore even ten times cleaner.”
– Prof. David Smeulders, TU Eindhoven
At present, the Netherlands is only 38% self-sufficient in its gas needs. The remainder is imported — increasingly as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the United States and Qatar. These imports come with higher costs and a significantly larger CO₂ footprint due to energy-intensive processing and transport.
A geopolitical wake-up call
Recent political developments in the United States, including the “America First” policy stance of former President Donald Trump, underscore the risks of over-reliance on foreign energy sources.
“It cost us a fortune to break away from Russian gas. And now, we’re heavily dependent on U.S. imports,” Verburg explained. “If we don’t start new investments and permit procedures soon, our dependency on countries like Norway, Qatar, and the U.S. will only grow,” added Smeulders.
Domestic gas reserves — estimated at 150 to 200 billion cubic meters across land and offshore fields — could cover Dutch consumption for at least five more years. When used wisely, these reserves offer a stable bridge toward a fully renewable system.
Supporting both climate and economy
Beyond strategic independence, there’s also a climate benefit. Dutch gas production is demonstrably cleaner than LNG imports. It requires less energy to extract and significantly shorter transport distances — reducing global emissions.
“You can’t meet the Paris Agreement targets with a local-only mindset. Climate policy must be global. And in this transitional phase, Dutch gas is a better choice,” said Verburg.
Moreover, domestic production directly supports the Dutch economy:
• 70 cents of every euro invested goes to the national treasury.
• Fully utilizing small gas fields could generate up to €17 billion in public revenue.
• Enough to help make 500,000 households more sustainable.
A realistic path to sustainability
As Smeulders put it, the energy transition is “a marathon, not a sprint.” That marathon requires strategic, well-balanced choices. These include continuing insulation efforts, investing in renewable energy, and — crucially — making temporary use of clean, secure, and affordable Dutch gas.
Currently, the Netherlands imports twice as much gas as it produces. Natural gas still covers a large portion of both heat and electricity production. By agreeing that production should never exceed consumption, the focus shifts to reducing fossil demand — while keeping essential use as clean as possible.
“If we choose more Dutch natural gas now, we’ll reach 2050 with a fully renewable energy system — and still have an economy, without leaving anyone behind.”
– Gerda Verburg, Chair of Element NL
Greenpeace criticism: understandable, but unconvincing
Greenpeace argues for halting all gas production in the Netherlands, including from small fields. Director Andy Palmen calls domestic gas “an outdated reflex” and disputes claims that it’s cleaner than all imported alternatives, pointing specifically to Norwegian gas. He also questions whether profits truly benefit the Dutch public.
While these concerns are understandable, they don’t reflect the full picture. Domestic production contributes directly to public finances, with 70% of revenues going to the Dutch treasury. Replacing it with more LNG imports would increase CO₂ emissions and transfer wealth abroad. Most importantly, Dutch households would bear the financial burden of relying on costlier, dirtier imports. Choosing responsibly produced Dutch gas isn’t outdated — it’s essential for affordability, climate goals, and national resilience.
“By choosing Dutch natural gas, we keep energy more affordable. And this is not ‘drill baby, drill’.”
– Gerda Verburg
On the road to an agreement
The coming months will be decisive. A formal agreement is expected between the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and key energy stakeholders regarding small gas fields. The goal: streamline permitting, reduce investor risk, improve collaboration, and make smarter use of existing infrastructure.
A sustainable future demands pragmatic decisions today — and Dutch gas can play a responsible, temporary, and necessary role in securing it.
Watch the full EenVandaag segment here, in Dutch and, available from the Netherlands only:
