The total CO2 emissions of the greenhouse horticulture from 2010 to 2014 decreased by 30%. This is a direct effect of the decline in natural gas consumption. The decrease means that the CO2 emission is below the target agreed with the government in 2020. This is apparent from the 25th Energy Monitor Greenhouse of LEI.
In 2014, the Long-term Agreement Energy Greenhouse 2014-2020 concluded between the horticultural sector and the government. It contains all CO2 emisie central. The total CO2 emission (including electricity sales) decreased in 2014 to 5.7 megatonnes (Mtonnes), which is 0.5 Mtonnes below the target for 2020. When adjusted for the warm year 2014, then the CO2 emissions 6, 0 megatons and this is below the 2020 target.
Since 2010, CO2 emissions, adjusted for outside temperature, decreased by 1.8 megatonnes. The causes of this decline are shrinking in area, less selling electricity, increased use of renewable energy, less purchases of heat, more purchasing power, intensification, extensification and energy savings. The decrease is attributable to 91% through the first three factors. These factors are structural and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the period 2010-2014 with it. The effect of energy savings plus EPS exceeds the increase in energy demand by intensification. This means that the energy consumption per m2 greenhouse for the cultivation has fallen.
The share of renewable energy increased from 2010-2014 increased from 1.9 to 4.3%. This is an increase of nearly 50%. The absolute use increased from 2.4 to 4.2 Peta Joule: an increase of almost 80%. The growth of renewable energy is natural gas consumption down. The growth is mainly due to increase in the use of geothermal energy. The share of renewables in horticulture lags behind the national share (5.6%) but it is growing rapidly.
In 2014 produced the horticulture 10.5 billion kWh of electricity from cogeneration. This corresponds to the use of 1.5 million households. Electricity production is lower than in previous years, and is still equivalent to 9% of national consumption. The reduced electricity also decreased natural gas consumption, and thus CO2 emissions. The reduction in electricity production was mainly due to the lower selling price for electricity. The electricity consumption of greenhouses increased in 2014 increased to approximately 7.7 billion kWh or 7% of the national consumption.