Energy optimism: why the energy transition is happening faster than you think

From the Beatles to Net-Zero

Olof kicked off his presentation with a striking comparison: the Netherlands' CO₂ emissions in 2023 were the same as in 1964 – the year the Beatles first set foot on Dutch soil. Despite population growth, economic expansion, and technological progress, our emissions have fallen. This is no coincidence, but the result of structural climate policy.

If we use 1990 emissions as a benchmark, there's even a reduction of a third. And the Netherlands is expected to have reduced emissions by 50% by 2030, while the economy doubles in the same period. This means greater prosperity with less CO₂.

Green Energy Day

Over the past twelve years, the share of sustainable energy in the Netherlands has increased fivefold. Green Energy Day – the symbolic day on which our sustainable energy runs out – moved forward 16 days last year, to March 24th. To be fully climate neutral by 2050, this day must move forward by an average of 12 days each year. And we're already well on our way to that pace.

The North Sea plays a key role in this. With its shallow waters, strong winds, and strong offshore industry, it's the ideal location for wind energy. This allows the Netherlands to generate sustainable energy relatively cheaply and on a large scale.

Less energy needed for the same result

Why is the energy transition happening so quickly? According to Van der Gaag, it's mainly due to two words: learning curve and efficiency. The more we adopt sustainable technology, the cheaper and better it becomes. And electric systems—from cars to heat pumps—are simply much more efficient than their fossil-based predecessors.

For example, ten years ago, solar panels were still relatively expensive and unknown. Now, in many cases, they are the cheapest form of energy generation, precisely because so much experience has been gained worldwide with production, installation, and use.

In addition, many sustainable technologies are significantly more efficient than their fossil-fuel predecessors. An electric car, for example, converts much more of the energy it consumes into actual motion than a combustion engine. A heat pump extracts heat from the outside air or ground, using much less energy than a traditional gas boiler.

The big advantage? We don't have to replace all fossil fuels one-for-one with renewable sources. Because the system itself becomes much more efficient, less energy is simply needed to meet the same needs. This makes the energy transition not only feasible but also scalable.

Investments, employment and economic growth

One of the most encouraging developments from Olof van der Gaag's keynote address is that the energy transition is not only necessary but also economically attractive. The transition to a sustainable energy system will generate enormous investments, new business activity, and growing demand for jobs.

In 2024, €25 billion was invested in the energy transition in the Netherlands, accounting for a significant portion of economic growth. In the EU, nearly a third of growth now comes from sustainable investments.

While the assumption used to be that sustainability would primarily cost money, reality now shows something different: investments in the energy transition actually generate growth. These are long-term investments that create significant employment and local returns. This makes the old idea that climate policy comes at the expense of economic prosperity outdated.

Conclusion: on the way to a party

Van der Gaag concluded his keynote with a clear message: the energy transition is happening faster and better than many people think. And if we continue to invest, learn, and collaborate—with an eye for technological and societal progress—we can celebrate a big party in 2050: a clean, autonomous, and sustainable Netherlands.

About New Energy Forum

New Energy Forum is the festival for (aspiring) mobility and energy professionals and anyone concerned with a livable future. It's an annual initiative of our organization (New Energy Coalition). Entrance, Hanze & Hive Mobility at the Entrance test site on Zernike Campus Groningen. The Entrance Award will also be presented during the festival: the prize for pioneers in the energy transition. 

On June 19, 2025, Groningen was once again the vibrant hub of the energy and mobility transition during New Energy Forum. This unique event, now boasting five successful editions, is much more than a traditional conference. It's the most distinctive energy festival in the Northern Netherlands, unique in its format thanks to its combination of content, networking, and experience, with this edition as a standout. This edition was entirely dedicated to DO!ers – the place where action takes center stage. Over 1.700 visitors gathered at the Entrance test site.