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Clean energy to the Netherlands
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(Last updated: 15 Feb 2010)
Trends and opportunities
The market
The Netherlands has a high population density. Its economic activities and leisure activities are extensive and expanding – so, not surprisingly – the quality of its environment is facing serious threats. The Netherlands Government, along with the general public and the business community, are therefore looking for ways to attain sustainable development. A recent principle of the government is to spend more money on environmental protection in order to compensate the negative effect of ongoing economic growth.
The international dimension of environmental protection is gaining a prominent role. The Netherlands is trying to reduce the rate of correlation between pollution and economic growth. It sees the integration of the environment policy in sectors such as agriculture, transport and energy supply as an important instrument for this purpose.
In the Netherlands the trend is evident: environment is on the agendas of both public and private domains. Energy consumption is growing and the Dutch are increasingly more concerned about the sustainability of their way of life. Enticed by many influences ranging from the oil price to Al Gore, the Dutch Government is seeking ways to stimulate the use of alternative sources of energy. For the same reason many consumers are susceptible for this and as a result investors are becoming willing to adopt new technologies: not only alternative sources of energy, but also alternative types of fuel for conventional energy production types.
Opportunities
Australia has significant strength in the field of research and development. This provides a potential source of sustainable competitive edge over other countries. Moreover Australia has important natural resources either available for export (eg. wood for wood pellets) or as a driver for developing new technologies (eg. solar and geothermal power).
CCS is now on every government’s agenda and both Holland and Australia are leaders in this category. There is already a good relationship but with initiatives around big events (GHGT-10 in September 2010) creating a more in-depth relation between the key players is encouraged.
Holland is a key player in R&D in the field of nanotech, as is Australia. By partnering the two nations this could create more synergies in this sector (and complement each other in R&D and commercialisation of certain techniques).
(Source: Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands)
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Contact details
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.
Austrade:
- Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
- Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
- Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
- Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
- Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
- Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.
A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.
More information
For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au |
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