Services: Electricity, Gas, & Water in the Netherlands

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Services: Electricity, Gas, & Water in the Netherlands

The Dutch energy market was de-regulated on 1 July 2004 in order to encourage more competitive prices and a better service to consumers. Many utility companies offer integrated services, providing gas and electricity. Customers are able to choose their own energy provider.

There are numerous companies offering gas and electricity supplies. Tariffs vary from company to company and many offer a "green" option, ecostroom, where the power is sourced from environmentally sound areas or drawn from clean renewable sources such as sun, sea and wind.

For a listing of energy suppliers, contact the local municiplaity (Gemeentehuis). this number can be found in all telephone listings and Yellow Pages.

Gas and Electricity

• National emergency service number for electricity and gas - Tel: 0800 9009

Getting connected

The first step is to choose the provider that meets the requirements. There is a list of companies and their contact details on this page.
To set up an account the following will need to be provided:

• A passport or ID card to prove your identity
• Proof of occupancy (rental contract, house deeds)
• A bank statement or proof of residence available from the Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens (GBA) office of the municipality

Billing

Note and check the meter readings when moving into a new home. Bills are based on the previous year's consumption for the property. Discrepancies are corrected at the end of the year and refunds or additional bills are issued accordingly.

Reduced tariff electricity

Reduced night tariffs are available if the property has a meter fitted. The reduced tariff is available from 23:00-07:00 and at weekends, from Friday 23:00 until 07:00 Monday.

Main gas and electricity suppliers

Water

Tap water is drinkable throughout Holland.

The Netherlands is split into geographical water areas. Water boards (Waterschappen) are responsible for flood control, management of regional water resources (quantity and quality) and treatment of urban wastewater.

Tax is charged for clean water and the consumer is charged for the amount of water used. The district water board purges the water piped to households and companies and charges a pollution tax for this. The pollution assessment is often combined with the refuse and sewage charges levied by the municipality, or with the account from the waterworks.

The local Gemeentehuis have contact information for the water company responsible for all properties in a municipality. In the case of rental accommodation, water bills are often handled by the agent or landlord. 

Main Water Suppliers

The Association of Water Boards is the group authority.

• Unie van Waterschappen (Association of Water Boards)
  At: Koningskade 40, 2596AA The Hague
  Tel: 070 351 9751
  Website

Rubbish Collection and Recycling

Local authorities manage refuse collection and recycling, different localities implement different systems. Environmental tax is due for the service and may be billed monthly or included in a rental contract. 

There are recycling points in most neighbourhoods for glass, paper (blue bins) and organic kitchen and garden waste (green). Brown bins are for all other household rubbish. In some areas recyclable waste is collected from the home.

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Telephone & Internet Providers in the Netherlands
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Electricity & Home Appliances in the Netherlands