Netherlands biomass sustainability and legal disputes

The use of biomass for energy in the Netherlands is facing increasing legal and environmental scrutiny regarding sustainability and sourcing. In Amersfoort, investigations have highlighted discrepancies in the biomass supply chain, with the parent company Energie voor Elkaar citing a sourcing radius of up to 500 kilometers despite previous promises to source 70 percent of wood within 50 kilometers. Additionally, local operations face potential closure due to court rulings regarding nitrogen emissions and environmental permits.

On a national level, the environmental organization Comité Schone Lucht (CSL) has initiated legal action against the Dutch government. The lawsuit challenges the state’s provision of subsidies for biomass, demanding stricter oversight and an end to subsidies when wood origins cannot be independently verified. This follows reports suggesting that wood pellets used in power plants like Amer and Eemshaven may contribute to deforestation in Malaysia by using whole tree trunks instead of sawmill residues. While RWE maintains its wood comes from “sustainably managed production forests and plantations,” police investigations are reportedly underway. As current regulations expire, the government is evaluating alternative technologies such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).