Wednesday September 3rd, 2025, marked a special moment for the renewable energy sector: the first Parliamentary Kick-Off on Renewable Energy in The Hague. Organized by Renewable Strategies, the event brought together representatives from industry, policy, and politics to discuss the implementation of RED III and the future of the Dutch renewable energy landscape.

For Renewable Strategies, hosting this first kick-off was a pleasure. The aim was clear: to create a space where different stakeholders could exchange insights, challenges, and solutions, fostering collaboration at the intersection of sector, policy, and politics. By that measure, the event was a success.

Several discussions stood out:

Hans van Cleef (EqoLibrium) highlighted that short-term politics often slow down the energy transition. While CO₂ reductions are primarily achieved through scaling down rather than greening, the transition requires significant investments across supply, demand, and infrastructure, all alongside competing societal priorities.

Camiel Fremouw (Ministry of Infrastructure) emphasized that RED III represents a systemic shift in the renewable sector, designed to enable large-scale deployment.

Maarten Poot (Voltico) discussed the role of in-booking services in unlocking emission advantages via charging credits, making sustainable choices more accessible and rewarding. He also stressed the importance of addressing control, feasibility, and auditability challenges for successful implementation.

Roland Kok (Route to Market) pointed out that biogas, green gas, and bio-LNG present the greatest opportunities under EU RED III to achieve real CO₂ reductions. He also noted missed opportunities, such as bio-CNG exclusion and uncertainty around the blending obligation for green gas.

Jan Jaap Rodenburg (Argent Energy) underlined that Amsterdam-produced FAME biodiesel from waste and residual streams offers a reliable, affordable path to decarbonize road, inland, and maritime transport. However, limitations on Annex IXb feedstocks and blending percentages create unnecessary barriers.

The kick-off sparked meaningful conversations and highlighted the pressing challenges and opportunities in implementing RED III in the Netherlands. For Renewable Strategies, this first step reinforces our commitment to connecting stakeholders, facilitating dialogue, and shaping a practical path forward for the energy transition.