Groningen Households Face Highest Energy Costs in the Netherlands
Research shows Groningen leads the country in energy costs, driven by low incomes, older homes, and poor insulation compared to Randstad.
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Station Area Residents are Hit the Hardest
New research by consultancy Berenschot, commissioned by energy supplier Essent, shows that households in the city of Groningen’s Station Area spend 11.2% of their income on energy - more than four times as much as residents of Europa Park (2.5%). Across the municipality, the average is 7.4%.
Province Leads National Energy Burden
The province of Groningen has the highest energy costs in the Netherlands, with households spending around 8% of their income on energy compared to the national average of 6.4%. That means a household earning €3,000 per month spends roughly €240 on energy. On average, Groningen families pay more than €100 extra per month compared to households in Utrecht.
Regional differences are stark: Pekela tops the list with 9.6% of income going to energy, followed by Stadskanaal (8.9%) and Oldambt (8.8%).
Why Groningen Pays More
According to researchers, Groningen combines several “negative factors”:
Lower average incomes compared to the Randstad.
Older, poorly insulated houses that require more energy.
Larger homes that are costlier to heat.
At the same time, many residents cannot afford the investments needed to make their homes more sustainable.
The Growing Energy Gap
Essent CEO Resi Becker warns that the gap between energy costs inside and outside the Randstad will only grow. More than 40% of Dutch households will lack the means to make their homes more sustainable by 2035, leaving them vulnerable to rising gas prices and taxes. Renters are especially at risk: nearly 30% of private renters live in energy poverty, meaning over 10% of their income goes to energy bills.
Call for Political Action
Although average bills may decline slightly in the next decade, nearly 60% of households are still expected to see their disposable income fall. Becker argues for stronger political measures: easier access to subsidies, a single point of contact for sustainability support, and even a 90% reimbursement for low-income households. She also calls for tenants to gain enforceable rights to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.