The Netherlands has set itself the goal of having its entire rail network running entirely on wind-generated electrical power by 2018.
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The goal is not as far-fetched as it may seem – half of the 2,890km network is already running on wind power, and energy procurement company VIVENS will work with Dutch energy company Eneco to provide enough capacity to supply the other half.
Michel Kerkhof, account manager at Eneco, is quoted by Railway Technology, as saying: “Mobility is responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in the Netherlands, and if we want to keep travelling, it is important that we do this without burdening the environment with carbon and particulate matter.
“This contract offers all Dutch citizens the option to make a climate-neutral trip, regardless of distance.”
Wind power will come from within the Netherlands as well as Belgium and Scandinavia.
Kerkhof added that the Dutch government was not providing any subsidies to the scheme. He said: “It is the result of a European tender procedure between market parties.”
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