In January 2017, the Netherlands made headlines by becoming the first country in the world to operate its entire national electric railway network using wind energy.
The Dutch railway company NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) partnered with energy provider Eneco to ensure that all electric trains would be powered by wind-generated electricity.
This transition was part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
By 2017, enough wind energy was being generated domestically and sourced through contracts in neighboring countries (like Belgium and Finland) to meet the energy needs of the Dutch railway system.
The wind energy powers roughly 5,500 train trips a day, transporting over 600,000 passengers. According to Eneco, one wind turbine running for an hour can power a train for about 120 miles.
The achievement is significant because transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Dutch model showcases how large-scale infrastructure can transition to renewable energy with proper policy support and planning.
However, it’s important to note:
- This only applies to electric trains (not diesel-based ones).
- The electricity isn’t always locally generated—it’s part of a green energy contract which allows sourcing from European wind farms
The Dutch railway company NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) partnered with energy provider Eneco to ensure that all electric trains would be powered by wind-generated electricity.
This transition was part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
By 2017, enough wind energy was being generated domestically and sourced through contracts in neighboring countries (like Belgium and Finland) to meet the energy needs of the Dutch railway system.
The wind energy powers roughly 5,500 train trips a day, transporting over 600,000 passengers. According to Eneco, one wind turbine running for an hour can power a train for about 120 miles.
The achievement is significant because transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Dutch model showcases how large-scale infrastructure can transition to renewable energy with proper policy support and planning.
However, it’s important to note:
- This only applies to electric trains (not diesel-based ones).
- The electricity isn’t always locally generated—it’s part of a green energy contract which allows sourcing from European wind farms
In January 2017, the Netherlands made headlines by becoming the first country in the world to operate its entire national electric railway network using wind energy.
The Dutch railway company NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) partnered with energy provider Eneco to ensure that all electric trains would be powered by wind-generated electricity.
This transition was part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
By 2017, enough wind energy was being generated domestically and sourced through contracts in neighboring countries (like Belgium and Finland) to meet the energy needs of the Dutch railway system.
The wind energy powers roughly 5,500 train trips a day, transporting over 600,000 passengers. According to Eneco, one wind turbine running for an hour can power a train for about 120 miles.
The achievement is significant because transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Dutch model showcases how large-scale infrastructure can transition to renewable energy with proper policy support and planning.
However, it’s important to note:
- This only applies to electric trains (not diesel-based ones).
- The electricity isn’t always locally generated—it’s part of a green energy contract which allows sourcing from European wind farms
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