The Dutch economy experienced a contraction of 0.7% in the first quarter of 2023, according to preliminary calculations from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). This decrease in gross domestic product (GDP) volume is primarily due to a decline in the trade balance and an increased withdrawal from reserves.
In global first, Dutch wind parks in the North Sea were shut down for four hours on Saturday, May 13, 2023, to allow migratory birds a safe passage. This measure carried out at Borssele and Egmond aan Zee, is part of the commitment of the Dutch government and the involved companies to emphasise ecology and biodiversity in offshore wind parks.
Vattenfall, one of Europe's leading energy suppliers, has announced that it will significantly reduce prices for electricity and gas in the Netherlands from 1 July, undercutting the price limit. The new tariffs will apply to customers with variable contracts, which comprise many of Vattenfall's 1.3 million customers. This price reduction follows the trend of competitors such as Eneco and Essent, which have also lowered their tariffs.
The Netherlands is one of the countries with the highest gas tax in Europe, surpassed only by Denmark. According to a recent analysis by De Telegraaf, the gas tax for an average three-person household rose from 350 euros in 2014 to the current 900 euros - a significant increase felt by millions of homes.
The Dutch Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (Autoriteit Consument & Markt, ACM) has recently warned against misleading and aggressive practices by energy companies in customer acquisition. In parallel, the ACM has set new rules for termination fees for fixed energy contracts that will apply from 1 June 2023.
