{
  "id": 1450953,
  "title": "Belgian demand pushes Dutch coal plants to run harder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/belgian-demand-pushes-dutch-coal-plants-to-run-harder",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T08:08:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DutchNews",
    "slug": "dutchnews",
    "url": "https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/08/belgian-demand-pushes-dutch-coal-plants-to-run-harder/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dutch coal-fired power stations have generated more electricity this year, so far, than the entire year of 2024, according to the Financieele Dagblad. The surge in output is attributed to high gas prices and a rise in demand from neighboring Belgium. Coal plants typically ramp up production in October when electricity demand surges and renewable sources are less abundant. The data is sourced from the Nationaal Energie Dashboard. The last time coal was burned at this rate was during the 2022 gas crisis, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused gas prices to spike, making coal a more cost-effective alternative. The increased Dutch production has resulted in Belgium importing 7.5 billion kWh more electricity than it exports, a record high. This is primarily sourced from the Netherlands and France. Martien Visser, an energy transition specialist, noted that the extra Dutch emissions were not necessarily a negative outcome because European rules cap total emissions for member states. Thus, higher output in one country could correspond to lower emissions elsewhere. Visser also pointed out that while Dutch coal is preferable to German lignite, it remains the most polluting method of electricity generation. Dutch law mandates that the three remaining coal plants - two in Maasvlakte near Rotterdam and one in Eemshaven - must cease operations by 2030. CDA leader Henri Bontenbal had previously advocated for the plants to remain operational as a backup.",
  "summary": "Dutch coal-fired power stations have generated more electricity so far this year than in the whole of 2024, driven by...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}