In our interview series “Planning and Forming” we speak to experts from various sectors about the issues in their sector, the ways in which they are trying to put them on the agenda in the upcoming coalition agreement and their view of the new House of Representatives. This edition we speak to Arendo Schreurs.
Arendo is Director of NOGEPA. NOGEPA represents the interests of companies that explore and extract natural gas. Natural gas plays an important role in the transition to a fully sustainable energy supply in 2050. And NOGEPA wants to make an open and transparent contribution to this transition. To achieve a CO2 reduction of 55%, natural gas is preferable to oil and coal: natural gas emits less CO2 when burned compared to oil and coal.
Were you satisfied with the election results?
Our sector naturally follows the political discussions closely. The election results show that politics has a robust middle bloc. This gives confidence in the stability of politics and the government, but the fragmentation of the parties is worrying. This has a major impact on the involvement in the House of Representatives and the time that MPs have to focus on a subject. Within the very broad field of energy and climate, gas extraction may prove to be one of the topics on which less time can be spent by the 'smaller' factions. The handling of gas extraction in Groningen is probably higher on the political agenda than stimulating gas extraction from the so-called small fields. But political attention and choices are also very relevant there. There is every reason to stimulate gas extraction as long as we need gas in the Netherlands. That is good for the climate, the economy and security of supply.
In addition, it is important for us as an industry, but actually for the whole of the Netherlands, that government policy is stable and predictable. Just after the elections it seemed to be a quick formation: VVD, D66, CDA and depending on the 4e party has a left or right cabinet. This would be beneficial for that stability and predictability. The discussion about the scouts has changed a lot. The relationship between the cabinet and the House has changed and there is a greater need for transparency and dualism. There is talk of more limited agreements in the coalition agreement. I hope that does not seem like less predictable government policy. Because predictability is essential to get investments and projects in the industry off the ground.
What are the most important issues for your sector?
We see that lately the call for 'getting off the gas' has become somewhat more nuanced. People are becoming aware that we will still need the gas to continue the energy transition in the best possible way. The most important issue within our sector is to further create this awareness. As long as you use gas, it is better that this gas comes from your own country instead of other countries, such as Russia.
Something we want to do in the new coalition agreement is to stimulate awareness that Dutch natural gas is important for the energy transition in the coming decades. In our opinion, the usefulness and necessity of gas extraction on land, as long as we still use gas in the Netherlands, should be included in the coalition agreement. As said, we still need the gas for a while. And that is best done in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands we use approximately 40 billion cubic meters of natural gas. More than a quarter of this comes from those Small Fields on land and at sea. It must be Dutch extracted natural gas. Otherwise we will have to import even more than we already do, and that costs money instead of making money and is also worse for the climate.
In what ways have you tried to incorporate these issues into politics?
We started well before the elections. Our story in recent years is not that complicated: Dutch natural gas, extracted safely and responsibly, is smarter than importing unnecessary gas. We have presented this story in preparation for the elections. We focused on civil servants, political parties, MPs and committees. We have tried to exert influence through amendments at conferences and questions at debates. In addition, we of course send a letter to the informant and we are in discussions with all kinds of people around the formation.
We noticed that gas extraction was not the most pleasant topic for politicians to talk about and for this reason it is not an easy topic to put on the agenda. But it is up to us to make it clear that it is worthwhile to speak out about national gas extraction, and what choices need to be made in this regard in our view. Of course we are on our way to a CO2-free future in 2050, a future in which natural gas has no or minimal place in our energy supply. But on the way there, as long as we still need gas, Dutch natural gas is the best option.
“It must be Dutch natural gas. Otherwise we will have to import even more than we already do, and that costs money instead of making money, and is also worse for the climate.”
Do you think your sector is well represented in the House of Representatives?
I don't think every spokesperson knows all the ins and outs of gas extraction, but getting to know the new spokespersons is very important. We share that knowledge, and that knowledge is gradually created. What they do with that knowledge is then their political decision, where we increasingly see that public opinion guides what is on the agenda. But as far as knowledge goes, it will be fine.
