Element NL’s new Public Support Monitor for Natural Gas Production shows that a clear majority of people in the Netherlands believe natural gas is necessary for energy security and as part of the energy mix, as long as renewable energy is not yet sufficiently available.
Go directly to the Public Support Monitor Gas Production
For example, 69 percent of people in the Netherlands support domestic natural gas production, particularly when it helps reduce the country’s dependence on foreign energy. The findings of this survey are clear: people in the Netherlands take a highly realistic view. They want to move forward with the energy transition, while maintaining a strong focus on security of supply, affordability and geopolitical independence,” says Gerda Verburg, Chair of Element NL. “As long as the Netherlands needs natural gas, it makes sense to use domestically produced gas. It is produced with significantly lower emissions, contributes to our economy and prevents us from becoming more dependent on imports from countries on which we specifically want to reduce our reliance.”
Support for natural gas production in the Netherlands has grown significantly
Almost half of people in the Netherlands have a positive view of natural gas production offshore (48 percent) and onshore (49 percent). This represents a significant increase compared with 2025, when 36 percent said they had a positive view of natural gas production from small fields both offshore and onshore. Only 17 percent are firmly opposed to production from small fields onshore and offshore.
The study was conducted by independent research agency Verian among 1,909 people in the Netherlands aged 18 and over. The results show that public support for domestic natural gas production is clearly growing.
According to Element NL, the figures demonstrate that people in the Netherlands consider the energy transition important, while also recognising the practical realities of the energy system.
“The findings of this survey are clear: people in the Netherlands take a highly realistic view. They want to move forward with the energy transition, while maintaining a strong focus on security of supply, affordability and geopolitical independence,” says Gerda Verburg, Chair of Element NL. “As long as the Netherlands needs natural gas, it makes sense to use domestically produced gas. It is produced with significantly lower emissions, contributes to our economy and prevents us from becoming more dependent on imports from countries on which we specifically want to reduce our reliance.”
Concerns about energy bills and security of supply
The Public Support Monitor also shows that 77 percent of people in the Netherlands see natural gas as a safety net for as long as renewable energy is not sufficiently available. In addition, 63 percent are concerned about the country’s energy supply and 57 percent about the cost of their energy bills. A majority of 56 percent even fear that the Netherlands could face an energy shortage if it stops producing natural gas from small fields.
Support for a resilient and diversified energy mix is equally clear. Some 53 percent of people in the Netherlands consider the diversification of energy sources the most important way to remain resilient. In addition, 70 percent believe that natural gas can contribute to security of energy supply in the Netherlands. According to Element NL, this underlines that the debate about natural gas cannot be separated from energy security, affordability and dependence on foreign energy.
“The choice is not between making our energy system more sustainable and using natural gas. The real challenge is how to ensure that the energy transition remains safe, affordable and feasible,” Verburg says. “The Netherlands has the expertise, infrastructure and skilled people needed to make a responsible contribution. Moreover, the existing offshore infrastructure also provides a foundation for the energy system of tomorrow, including CO₂ storage, hydrogen and energy system integration in the North Sea.”
The Public Support Monitor for Natural Gas Production shows that people in the Netherlands do not see a simple contradiction between the energy transition and domestically produced natural gas. For as long as natural gas remains necessary, there is broad support for domestic production when it contributes to reducing dependence, maintaining a stable energy supply and keeping energy bills affordable.
