The Dutch Government has made the decision to stop new subsidies for woody bio-based raw materials for low-grade heat, effective immediately.
The recent decision specifically concerns the production of low-temperature heat (100oC) from woody bio-based raw materials. The heat produced in this manner is mainly used for heating buildings and greenhouses.
Minister Jetten for Climate and Energy said: “Bio-raw materials play an important role in achieving a climate neutral and circular economy. Bio-raw materials are crucial to become less dependent on fossil raw materials, certainly in sectors where there are limited or no sustainable alternatives.
“At the same time, the government is aware of social concerns about bio-based raw materials. That is why we have decided to immediately stop granting subsidies for woody bio-based raw materials for low-grade heat.”
The Dutch government’s resolution is to use the sustainable bio-based raw materials and appoint them to where they can make the greatest contribution to sustainability and where alternatives are limited. These high-quality applications will continue to be supported.
Some areas of high-quality applications would include green gas as a replacement for natural gas; fuel for heavy road transport, aviation, and maritime shipping; bioconcrete, and paint using bio-based raw materials instead of fossil raw materials.
According to the government, to guarantee the sustainability of the bio-based raw materials used, the Netherlands is focusing on further tightening the European sustainability criteria in the negotiations on the European Renewable Energy Directive. The Netherlands will also continue to toughen the certification of imported bio-based raw materials and bio-based materials.
This decision lines up with the government building on the Sustainability Framework for Bio-Raw Materials that was presented to the House in October 2020 and the SER recommendation Biomass in Balance in 2020, to which the social partners, energy sector, industry and nature and environmental organisations have contributed.
