In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable transportation, the Netherlands has become the first country to power its entire electric train network exclusively with wind energy.
As of January 1, 2017, all Dutch electric trains run on wind-generated electricity, a milestone achieved a year ahead of schedule.
This ambitious project was the result of a partnership between Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the Dutch national railway company, and energy provider Eneco. Together, they aimed to reduce CO₂ emissions and promote renewable energy usage in public transport.
The initiative required approximately 1.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—the equivalent of powering all households in Amsterdam for a year—to transport over 600,000 passengers daily.
While the Netherlands’ domestic wind farms contributed significantly, additional wind energy was sourced from neighboring countries, including Belgium and Finland, to meet the demand.
This achievement not only underscores the feasibility of large-scale renewable energy integration but also sets a precedent for other nations aiming to decarbonize their public transportation systems.
