from the Daily Standard (NL)

Reality cannot be forced to bend to ideological dogmas, trendy climate roundtables, or the megalomaniacal ambitions of “Climate Pope” Rob Jetten.

A ministry can pump billions in subsidies into unprofitable wind farms and solar parks, but the moment the wind drops, the sky clouds over, or industrial electricity demand peaks, that entire green castle in the air comes crashing down hard onto the pavement. At that point, only one thing matters: is the power plant running, and are the lights on?

On 9 September, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) released hard, irrefutable figures that deliver a resounding slap in the face to the entire self-righteous elite in The Hague. In the second quarter of 2026, the Dutch electricity sector burned a staggering 87 percent more coal than during the same period the previous year! Natural gas consumption also shot up sharply.

Just let that sink in: a rise of nearly ninety percent in coal consumption. While the “Church of the Left” insists we all switch to heat pumps and electric vehicles—and while our industry is being crippled by CO2 levies—the Dutch power supply is running at full throttle thanks to old-fashioned, reliable coal.

The Hague’s obstinate suicidal course

And how does the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth respond to these staggering figures? You guessed it: they bury their heads even deeper in the sand. According to RTL Z, despite this massive increase, the ministry sees “no reason whatsoever” to reconsider the statutory deadline for the final closure of all coal-fired power plants in 2030.

There have been studies that show manufacturing ‘green’ energy generating equipment for wind and solar power and EV batteries — and disposing of used equipment — produces more emissions than burning natural gas and oil do. –Eds