Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist April-May 2019 | Page 14

COUNTRY FOCUS ENERGY The Netherlands has a strong standing in the areas of renewable energy and energy effi ciency and a leading position in wind energy at sea, biomass processing and greenhouse farming. The energy sector contributes substantially to Dutch national income, exports and employment. The government has therefore opted for a modern industry policy aimed at making better use of the economic opportunities for both green and grey energy. Clean reliable and aff ordable A sustainable and robust energy supply is crucial as a motor of economic growth and for the wellbeing of society as a whole: it must be clean, reliable and aff ordable. Themes such as the internationalisation of the energy markets and reduction of CO2 are essential in achieving these higher goals. Growing demand for sustainable energy creates many new opportunities within the energy sector, such as generation, transport and trade in energy. The Netherlands has a solid basis for further energy growth – it’s geographical location with many kilometres of coastline for wind-power; the powerhouse of key European harbours in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp (ARA); and signifi cant natural gas reserves and the presence of a strong gas infrastructure, provide a basis from which to grow to become the energy- hub of Europe. Five strengths of Dutch renewable energy: 1. A courageous vision for 2050 2. Experimenting with decentralised energy 3. Europe’s leader in green gas 4. Great experience in energy effi ciency and an international reputation for research in renewable energy 5. Leading expertise in off shore wind energy & aims to become ‘Europe’s bio fuel hub’ HIGH TECH High tech industries in the Netherlands are among the most innovative in the world, thanks to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research and development. Dutch technological know-how and products are much sought-after and are exported worldwide. Cross-overs in technology and collaboration: The Netherlands’ centuries-old tradition of creativity, pragmatism, entrepreneurship, openness and collaboration forms a perfect fi t for the High-Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) sector. These qualities make the Netherlands the perfect place to fi nd solutions to the challenges society is facing today in the areas of health and wellness, security, renewable energy, mobility and climate; solutions that, due to the complexity of the challenge, are primarily generated through cross-overs in technology and collaboration. Rapid innovation and collaboration across the value chain is imperative in this highly competitive and highly complex sector and a well-functioning network (‘ecosystem’) of specialised companies and institutions is crucial to achieving this. These ‘ecosystems’ or centres-of-excellence are located around the country with perhaps the most significant being Brainport region Eindhoven, in the Southeast of the Netherlands – voted World’s Most Innovative Region, in 2015. There are also strong concentrations of high-tech companies and universities in other parts of the Netherlands, such as around Twente and Delft. The high-tech sector includes a number of closely related industries including: the high-tech systems industries, automotive, aerospace and materials, including steel. Five reasons why the Dutch high tech industry is vital to meeting the global challenges of today: 1. The Dutch open, creative & entrepreneurial spirit 2. Technological excellence, a leader in the high tech market 3. A computer-savvy population 4. Network of specialised companies and institutions & frontrunner in ‘open innovation’ 5. Always keeping an eye on the future 14 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 4 • April-May 2019, Noida