Pellets market developments in the Netherlands
Due to Netherlands very low domestic resources of raw material available in free access, industry experts doubt that pellet manufacturing will grow significantly within next years. But they specify that taking into account Dutch government ambitious policy as for renewable and renewable electricity domain (20% by the end of 2020) in future the country will need to import biomass in order to meet these guidelines. But that the same time they doubt how and when additional measures for co -firing capacity increase will be performed.
With the renewable energy share increase in Dutch electricity portfolio the supply security issue may arise, though it may not have a great importance. Due to significant coal prices fluctuation within past few years and the possibility of wood pellets co- fired amount change, they may become strategic alternative for the period of coal prices growth. Though knowing that coal supplies real shortage might not be expected within next few decades, the security aspect is the least problem industry actors should worry about compared to the countries where wood pellets replace heating oil or natural gas.
Industry professionals forecasts concerning national heating market say that the fact that wood pellets will obtain significant share at market segment is far from being possible. It occurs due to the fact that Dutch relies on other alternatives mostly, such as: natural-gas fuelled micro-CHP installations, which generate heat and electricity in residential areas, heat pump, solar heating and heat storage usage.
Experts also point out to the fact that the Dutch ports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Flushing and Delfzijl/Eemshaven are really interested at becoming bioenergy-hubs, but have doubt that such event occur. They specify that Rotterdam harbor could become a major hub where wood pellets are transferred from large ocean-going dry bulk carriers to smaller river vessels and coasters, due to the increase of wood pellets amount import from North America (but possibly also from other continents), and supplies shortage in North-West Europe, it is foreseen that e.g. the Rotterdam harbor could become.
