The Netherlands has reached a significant milestone in the transition to electric transport, with now more than 500,000 charging points spread across the country, according to a report by the Nationale Agenda Laadinfrastructuur (NAL). The report recently presented to the House of Representatives includes private, semi-public and fast charging points.
According to the Drought Monitor of the National Coordination Committee for Water Distribution (LCW), there has been an apparent precipitation deficit since the beginning of June. The precipitation deficit in the Netherlands has reached a new high, with a national average of 133 millimetres. This is significantly above the median, indicating an arid year. The precipitation deficit is already at the level of the 5% driest years, a clear signal of the severity of the country's current drought. Furthermore, the situation in the Netherlands is currently classified as "persistent drought". The drought monitor is published every fortnight by the LCW and gives a picture of rainfall, evaporation, groundwater levels, river discharge and the amount of water in the soil.
Last week saw sharp swings in European gas prices. The price of natural gas shot up on Tuesday, 14 June, due to concerns over supply from Norway. Production at three major Norwegian gas fields and facilities is at a standstill. This is the third price jump in eight days.
From 1 July, petrol and diesel will become significantly more expensive in the Netherlands due to increased fuel taxes. This price increase may lead to more significant price differences with neighbouring Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg, making it attractive for many Dutch motorists to fill up across the border.
Gas and energy prices in the Netherlands have risen sharply recently, rising nearly 25 % on a single day, with traders paying around €33 for a megawatt hour. Despite this increase, the cost of gas is significantly lower than last year, when prices were often above €100. This has resulted in lower energy bills for consumers.
