Belgium vs Netherlands: Electricity Compared
Belgium generated 72.0 TWh of electricity in 2025 and the Netherlands 135 TWh, according to Ember. Belgium's largest source was nuclear (33.5%); the Netherlands' was gas (34.9%). Each kWh generated emitted 126 gCO2/kWh in Belgium and 254 gCO2/kWh in the Netherlands. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.
Why this comparison: neighbours by land border or interconnector.
Key Facts
- Nuclear supplied 33.5% of Belgium's electricity in 2025, against 3.0% in the Netherlands.
- The Netherlands' electricity was 2.0 times as carbon intensive as Belgium's in 2025, at 254 gCO2/kWh against 126 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 74.6% of Belgium's electricity in 2025 and 54.2% of the Netherlands'.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 85.4 TWh in Belgium and 121 TWh in the Netherlands.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Belgium | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 72.0 TWh | 135 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 85.4 TWh | 121 TWh |
| Demand per person | 6.83 MWh | 6.60 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 126 gCO2/kWh | 254 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 9.06 MtCO2 | 34.3 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 74.6% | 54.2% |
| Largest source | Nuclear 33.5% | Gas 34.9% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Belgium | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 313 gCO2/kWh | 588 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 311 gCO2/kWh | 567 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 302 gCO2/kWh | 557 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 311 gCO2/kWh | 548 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 326 gCO2/kWh | 562 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 320 gCO2/kWh | 579 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 304 gCO2/kWh | 559 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 273 gCO2/kWh | 557 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 292 gCO2/kWh | 555 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 246 gCO2/kWh | 533 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 270 gCO2/kWh | 540 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 253 gCO2/kWh | 541 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 250 gCO2/kWh | 539 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 249 gCO2/kWh | 541 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 248 gCO2/kWh | 523 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 241 gCO2/kWh | 512 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 232 gCO2/kWh | 511 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 224 gCO2/kWh | 510 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 218 gCO2/kWh | 494 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 217 gCO2/kWh | 487 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 213 gCO2/kWh | 478 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 193 gCO2/kWh | 472 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 203 gCO2/kWh | 494 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 184 gCO2/kWh | 501 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 190 gCO2/kWh | 521 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 215 gCO2/kWh | 551 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 159 gCO2/kWh | 525 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 160 gCO2/kWh | 490 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 187 gCO2/kWh | 467 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 157 gCO2/kWh | 410 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 167 gCO2/kWh | 343 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 132 gCO2/kWh | 352 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 139 gCO2/kWh | 326 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 135 gCO2/kWh | 268 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 127 gCO2/kWh | 251 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 126 gCO2/kWh | 254 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Belgium | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | n/a | n/a |
| 1991 | n/a | n/a |
| 1992 | n/a | n/a |
| 1993 | n/a | n/a |
| 1994 | n/a | n/a |
| 1995 | n/a | n/a |
| 1996 | n/a | n/a |
| 1997 | n/a | n/a |
| 1998 | n/a | n/a |
| 1999 | n/a | n/a |
| 2000 | 8.50 MWh | 6.66 MWh |
| 2001 | 8.53 MWh | 6.76 MWh |
| 2002 | 8.57 MWh | 6.82 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.67 MWh | 6.87 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.70 MWh | 7.07 MWh |
| 2005 | 8.65 MWh | 7.10 MWh |
| 2006 | 8.86 MWh | 7.21 MWh |
| 2007 | 8.81 MWh | 7.34 MWh |
| 2008 | 8.75 MWh | 7.35 MWh |
| 2009 | 8.13 MWh | 7.03 MWh |
| 2010 | 8.56 MWh | 7.21 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.32 MWh | 7.22 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.23 MWh | 7.06 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.21 MWh | 7.00 MWh |
| 2014 | 7.92 MWh | 6.86 MWh |
| 2015 | 7.93 MWh | 6.88 MWh |
| 2016 | 7.99 MWh | 6.91 MWh |
| 2017 | 8.03 MWh | 6.90 MWh |
| 2018 | 7.98 MWh | 6.95 MWh |
| 2019 | 7.91 MWh | 6.89 MWh |
| 2020 | 7.62 MWh | 6.76 MWh |
| 2021 | 7.91 MWh | 6.83 MWh |
| 2022 | 7.46 MWh | 6.46 MWh |
| 2023 | 7.15 MWh | 6.32 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.34 MWh | 6.48 MWh |
| 2025 | 6.83 MWh | 6.60 MWh |
Belgium history · Netherlands history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.