Abstract:

Earlier this week, The Netherlands opened what is now the world’s largest offshore wind farm. 150 new turbines are now in use for clean energy in the North Sea. The wind farm is located 53 miles off of the northern coast, and will meet the energy needs of about 1.5 million people.

The 2.8-billion-euro ($3 billion) project will contribute about 13% of the country's total renewable energy supply, and about 25% of its wind power. It will also help reduce emissions of carbon-dioxide emissions, among the so-called greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, by 1.25 million tons.

The Netherlands remain dependent on fossil fuels, which still make up about 95% of its energy supply, according to a 2016 report from the ministry of economic affairs. But the Dutch government has committed to ensuring that some 14% of its energy comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2020, and 16% by 2023, with the aim of being a carbon neutral by 2050.