Energy (electricity and gas) is transported by regional companies in the Netherlands. The high-voltage electricity network is managed by TenneT, and the national gas transmission network is managed by N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie. The energy market in the Netherlands has been privatised since 2004, which means that you can choose your own energy supplier.
Energy (electricity and gas) suppliers in the Netherlands
These are the largest energy providers in the Netherlands:
Once you have made your decision, you can visit the website of your intended supplier to sign up.
Energy (electricity and gas) package comparison
Not sure which supplier you want? There are several comparison platforms available, such as Energievergelijk (in English), that can assist you. Additionally, you have the option of contacting EasyNuts or Utility Direct, both of which provide a convenient one-stop shop service. With EasyNuts and Utility Direct (a sole independent platform), you can effortlessly arrange all your utilities, including energy, internet, water, and mobile services, within a span of 24 hours, free of charge.
Types of energy contracts in the Netherlands
There are typically three types of energy contracts available in the Netherlands. All have their pros and cons. Here is what you need to look out for:
Fixed energy contract (vast energiecontract)
A fixed energy contract is a contract with your energy company for a fixed amount of time; typically from one to five years. This type of contract allows you to fix your energy rate for electricity and / or gas for a longer period of time. This means that the moment at which you secure your energy contract determines how good your deal really is, as the energy market fluctuates. The good thing is that a price increase will not affect the rate you pay, however, the opposite is also true: if the price of energy decreases, you will not benefit from it.
Also, please note that if you have a fixed contract and want to cancel it before the end of the date of the contract, you will need to pay a cancellation fee to the energy supplier.
Non-fixed energy contract (variabel energiecontract)
A non-fixed energy contract is a contract, as the name suggests, for an indefinite period of time. Generally, you can cancel this type of contract monthly. The rate of such a contract is generally fixed for six months, usually adjusted on January 1 and July 1. However, since the energy crisis of 2022, a number of suppliers have changed their variable rates more often, or even monthly. Usually, a contract like this means you may benefit from price drops, but you also will be affected by price increases.
Dynamic energy contract (dynamisch energiecontract / flexible energiecontract)
Like a non-fixed energy contract, this type of contract is for an indefinite period of time and can be cancelled monthly. However, the rates for a dynamic contract differ per hour and depend on the demand and supply of energy. This means that with a contract like this, you can save on your consumption by taking notice of when the hourly prices are low. Plus, you will be the first to benefit from a price decrease. Of course, this also means you will be the first to be affected by a price increase.
Energy prices in the Netherlands
Energy prices in the Netherlands are some of the highest in Europe, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which caused prices to spike across the continent. The effect of this was felt particularly severely in the Netherlands, which imports up to 50 percent of its energy.
Electricity prices in the Netherlands
In the first half of 2024, raw electricity prices in the Netherlands were the fourth-highest in Europe, according to Eurostat, at 0,2899 euros per kilowatt-hour (the EU average in 2023 was 0,2226 euros per kilowatt-hour).
Bear in mind that consumers need to factor in other costs that are added on top of the cost of electricity, including fixed supply and network costs, so there is usually some difference between the wholesale electricity price, and that offered to consumers by energy companies.
Gas prices in the Netherlands
The cost of gas in the Netherlands has reduced in recent months after spiking in 2022 and 2023. Nonetheless, in the first half of 2024, gas prices in the Netherlands were some of the highest in Europe, coming in at 0,1626 euros per kilowatt-hour with taxes and levies included. This is second only to Sweden, where gas cost 0,1760 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2024, according to Eurostat.
Green energy
The Netherlands invests a lot in green energy, which is why it is pretty easy to receive sustainable energy, generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
You can also choose to generate your own energy by putting solar panels on your roof. Solar panels and boilers are however no longer subsidised by the government.
