Dutch Debate Energy Amid Environmental, Commercial Worries

The Dutch are debating their energy options for the future. Partial privatization of gas and electricity, building a new nuclear plant and meeting commitments under the Kyoto protocol are at the centre of the increasingly heated discussion.

The country remains self-sufficient in gas, but this lucky situation is not expected to last much longer. Current estimates suggest gas reserves will be exhausted by 2030, and imports will have to begin well before then.

Antara