24 March 2025 has been declared Green Energy Day. That sounds like a holiday, but unfortunately it is less festive. It is the day when all renewable energy in the Netherlands runs out. Huh, how about that? Here's the thing: if you used only the available renewable energy in the Netherlands from 1 January, it would be completely exhausted by 24 March in 2025. For the rest of the year - and that is still 282 days away - we would have to rely on fossil energy for our homes, transport and industry. But what exactly is this about?
Green Energy Day: the sister of Earth Overshoot Day
In cooperation with Vandebron
You have probably heard of Earth Overshoot Day, the day when we globally consumed all the resources that the earth can replenish in one year. This day gets a lot of attention and falls worldwide this year on 24 July. In the Netherlands, we reach that point even earlier, on 5 May. But what applies to raw materials also applies to energy. That is why the Sustainable Energy Association has come up with their variant ‘Green Energy Day’, an initiative supported by energy supplier Vandebron, which is committed to 100% green energy in the Netherlands. So unfortunately, this year Green Energy Day already falls on 24 March. Yet there is also a little bit of good news: this year, we are already 16 days ahead of last year! In order for Green Energy Day to fall only on 31 December in 2050, we need to move up 12 days every year. And if possible, a bit faster, of course!
Why Green Energy Day exists
Green Energy Day aims to make us aware of both the need for more renewable energy sources and our energy consumption. After all, the energy transition is not just about installing more solar panels and heat pumps; it also requires something of ourselves. We need to use energy more intelligently and economically, because supply and demand are not always well matched yet. You probably hear reports of an overloaded or full power grid. The problem with green energy is that it is not always available, unlike fossil energy. On cloudy days, solar panels yield less, and when the wind dies down, wind turbines turn less hard. On sunny days, on the other hand, there is a surplus.
The energy transition is on the one hand about switching to renewable sources such as solar and wind, but it is also about changing behaviour at work and at home. Speaking of which, we have tips! For example tips for saving gas at home and we have shower tips: shorter showers and more!
How we can postpone Green Energy Day next year
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to push Green Energy Day step by step towards 31 December. These measures will save time:
- All thermostat one degree lower: +3 hours (+0.1 days)
- All ten per cent less driving: +9 hours (+0.3 days)
- All window film pasting: +7.6 hours (+0.3 days)
- All radiator foil sticking: +13 hours (+0.5 days)
- Seal all cracks and seams in homes tightly: +13 hours (+0.5 days)
- Laying solar panels on all suitable roofs: +27 hours (+1.1 days)
- All roofs properly insulated: +70 hours (+2.9 days)
- All carpooling to work: +31 hours (+1.3 days)
- All leased cars electric: +94 hours (+3.9 days)
- All shop doors closed: +7 hours (+0.3 days)
- All tyres correctly inflated: +5 hours (+0.2 days)
- Stopping gas altogether: +696 hours (+29 days)
- Making entire Dutch industry sustainable: +1344 hours (+56 days)
With such smart steps, we can delay Green Energy Day further and further. Yes, it's a big challenge, but every hour counts. In doing so, it also helps to choose an energy supplier committed to 100% green energy, as Vandebron. If we all use energy more consciously and economically as well as choose renewable energy sources, together we will come closer to a future where we live on only green energy all year round! Let's move the date and see what else you can do!
Note: these calculations were made by the smart minds at the Netherlands Renewable Energy Association. They looked at how much fossil energy is saved and/or how much renewable energy is generated. Of course, it remains an estimate, but it gives you a good idea of the effects of different measures.
Photo credits: Vandebron.
