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2.10 Energy in the Netherlands The EU has set tough energy targets for its members to meet by 2020 (page 56). Its main aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions. One way of achieving this is to reduce the amount of non-renewable energy being used and replace it with cleaner, renewable energy sources.

The Netherlands: energy mixThe Netherlands government is working towards using more sustainable energy sources. However, like many countries, it still relies heavily on non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels. The government knows that it will take time to change to renewable sources, so the energy mix for the Netherlands (Figure 1) still depends mainly on non-renewable energy. It also wants to make sure that the energy supply is not only reliable and sustainable but also affordable. This means a gradual increase in the use of renewables.

GasUnlike most EU countries (except for the UK, Denmark, France and Poland), the Netherlands produces a large proportion of its own energy. Most of this is natural gas – it is the largest producer in the EU. The main gas fi elds are found offshore in the North Sea (Figure 2), but gas is also found underground inland. The gas industry employs 100 000 people and earns over 6 million euros per year. There should be enough reserves both for its own needs and for export until 2025.

Why is it a good idea to have a mix of different energies available to use?

Question 1

EU case studies

Figure 1 Energy use in the Netherlands

Figure 2 North Sea Gas production from the Dutch Shell Draugen rig

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EuropeThe Netherlands already stores gas that comes ashore from the North Sea. This means that when it needs to start importing gas after 2025, it will have enough space to store a large amount. This gives it more energy security. It also acts as a distribution point to other EU countries. In 2011 it opened its fi rst Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Rotterdam. LNG takes up over 600 times less space than ordinary natural gas. Even when its own gas runs out, the Netherlands should have a successful gas industry.

Make a list of the reasons why the Netherlands is trying to use more renewable energy sources.

Question 2

OilThe Netherlands has 12 oilfi elds in production out of a possible 45. Ten are offshore in the North Sea. Many of the others are fairly small or undeveloped. It is expensive to drill for oil offshore, but as oil prices increase it can become profi table to do so. Despite having its own oilfi elds, the Netherlands imports huge amounts of oil. It is transported by supertankers into ports such as Rotterdam (Figure 3). Only some is for home use, the rest is stored and refi ned and then exported again. As is the case for other fossil fuels, the Netherlands is looking to reduce the amount it uses. This is partly because most of the world’s oil is found in regions where confl ict is common and also because it is a fi nite resource which will eventually run out.

Nuclear energy Borssele nuclear power station in Zeeland (Figure 4) is the only one in the Netherlands. Opened in 1973 it was expected to close in 2003. However, it is now expected to generate electricity until 2034. After looking to phase out nuclear power ten years ago, the government now consider it to be an important part of the country’s energy mix. It means less use of fossil fuels and less CO

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emissions. It can play an important role in providing energy as the country increases its use of renewables. This is especially useful whilst the technology and construction of renewable energy facilities is still quite expensive.

Figure 3 Oil terminal – Rotterdam

Figure 4 The Borssele nuclear plant


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Figure 1 Typical three-bladed wind turbines

Figure 2 The Essent windpark at Westermeerdijk, Netherlands

2.11 The Netherlands: sustainable energy

What do you think about wind farms? Are they good – or bad? Explain your answer.

Question 1

To increase its use of sustainable, renewable energy the Netherlands is concentrating on two main sources: wind power and bio-energy.

Wind powerWind turbines (Figure 1) are becoming a common sight in many EU countries, especially the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Although they are found singly – for example, in isolated areas or on rooftops providing energy for an offi ce block – they are more often found in groups. These groups of turbines are called wind farms (Figure 2). Wind farms may be built on land (onshore) or out at sea (offshore). Turbines typically have three large blades, set on top of tall supports. The wind turns the blades and the movement is used to generate electricity.

Being a fl at, windy country means that the Netherlands has plenty of suitable sites to place wind turbines. So far it has 2000, with a total capacity of 2200 MW (Figure 3). These produce about 4 per cent of the country’s electricity. The largest wind farm is in Eemshaven in Groningen. It has 68 turbines able to produce 204 MW. Offshore wind farms are much more expensive to build and maintain compared to onshore wind farms. The Netherlands has just two: the Prinses Amalia off IJmuiden with 60 turbines is the largest. The other is Near Shore Windpark (Egmond aan Zee) with 36 turbines. Together they produce 228 megawatts of energy.

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Figure 3 Wind power production in the Netherlands 1997–2011

Figure 4 Wind energy: advantages and disadvantages

Figure 5 The proportion of biofuel in petrol and diesel is increasing year on year in the Netherlands

Wind energy has many advantages – but it also has many critics (Figure 4). We know that it is sustainable and renewable, but it can also have big visual impact on the environment. Onshore wind farms are a relatively cheap way of generating renewable energy, especially once they have been built. By 2020 the Netherlands is looking to generate 6000 MW, about three times what can be produced now. It is looking to build a number of large wind farms – for example, on the Noordoostpolder and Flevoland. These will be capable of supplying electricity to over a million people.

Why is important that the biofuels of the future use waste material?

Question 2

Advantages Disadvantages

Sustainable and renewable Needs wind speeds between 15 and 50 kph to generate energy

Clean – no air pollution/greenhouse gas emissions

Can be noisy, especially in large groups close to housing

Work on a variety of scales – from single turbines to large wind farms

Unpredictable/not constant if winds vary

Can be built on land (onshore) or at sea (offshore), on hilltops or open

lowland

Cause visual pollution

Land around them can still be used, e.g. farming

May be a hazard for birds, and for boats if offshore

Good for supplying remote areas or individual or isolated buildings

Often expensive to build and set up

Bio-energy Energy produced from organic material or biomass is called bio-energy. Bio-energy can produce renewable heat, electricity and gas and biofuels. Some 62 per cent of sustainable energy produced in the Netherlands is from bio-energy.

Petrol on sale in the Netherlands already contains some biofuel (Figure 5), mainly bioethanol. The proportion is gradually increasing – an extra 0.25 per cent was added in 2011 and 2012, with a further 0.5 per cent planned for 2013 and 2014. This will help the Netherlands move towards the EU target of 10 per cent renewables in fuel for road transport by 2020. Whilst this is happening, research into more effi cient biofuels is being carried out. This is important, as there are concerns that land now used for food crops could be lost to biofuels, leading to higher food prices.

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Figure 1 Tourism in the Mediterranean

Figure 2 High-rise hotel developments along the Costa del Sol, Spain

2.12 Tourism in the EU’s Mediterranean countries

Explain why has tourism grown so quickly, especiallyin the Mediterranean region?

Question 1

Tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry. EU countries, especially those along the Mediterranean coast, attract millions of visitors ever year. Tourism has grown partly because people have more holiday and leisure time. Together with quick, cheap air travel and package holiday deals, this means people often take several short breaks each year as well as their annual holiday.

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Europe is the world’s most popular tourist destination, with about 60 per cent of the global market. Most tourists to Europe visit mountains or coastal areas. The most popular destinations are the Mediterranean coasts and islands of France, Italy, Spain and Greece (Figure 1). In 1990, some 135 million tourists visited the Mediterranean. By 2000 this reached 20 million. By 2020 it could reach 350 million. Over 5 million people have jobs related to tourism in the Mediterranean, with the industry providing 7 per cent of the GDP of the region.

The Costa del Sol, SpainSpain’s Costa del Sol stretches either side of Malaga for 160 km along its Mediterranean coast (Figure 1). In the 1950s, it was a small, quiet coastal area, relying heavily on fi shing. During the 1960s, Malaga’s airport became a popular destination for tourists on cheap package holidays to the Spanish coast. Today it has changed beyond recognition. Now the Costa del Sol is an almost unbroken strip of high-rise hotels, holiday apartments, shops, cafes and restaurants (Figure 2). Millions of tourists visit every year, attracted by the hot, dry, sunny Mediterranean climate, beaches, water sports and 60 golf courses.

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Figure 3 Crowded beach scene, Lloret de Mar, Spain

Figure 4 Polluted Mallorcan beach in the Mediterranean

2.12 Tourism in the EU’s Mediterranean countriesThe rapid growth in the number of tourists has brought many advantages Spain and other Mediterranean countries. These include jobs in the tourist industry itself and income for the region. To cope with this the infrastructure of the region has been improved. New roads and other facilities have benefi tted tourists and local residents. This is part of the multiplier effect. As more tourists visit, they spend more money. This creates more jobs not just in tourism but also in industries which support it – for example, construction workers building hotels and local farmers supplying food.

Tourism has also brought problems. Most tourists visit in just a few months of the year, from May to October. They visit in a fairly small area along the Mediterranean coast. This results in a high demand for resources, especially water. Tourists typically use twice as much water per day compared to local people – water is a scare resource in this hot, dry region. It also means that many jobs are seasonal, only available for the months the tourists visit.

A bigger problem is the impact tourism may have on the environment. Visitors produce waste which has to be disposed of. This, and increased urbanisation, can damage local ecosystems. High levels of pollution are harming the Mediterranean Sea and its beaches (Figure 4). Some areas are looking to introduce an eco-tax paid by all visitors to help fund environment-friendly developments. This could help protect some endangered coastal areas. Benidorm has spent money to improve local sanitation and water supply. The Spanish government has also introduced stricter planning and building regulations.

List (i) the bene� ts of tourism and(ii) the problems it can cause.

Question 2


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Figure 1 Italy

2.13 Italy’s tourism industry

Find out what we mean by a World Heritage Site. How many are there (i) in the world (ii) in Italy?

Question 2

List the different types of tourism Italy offers. Divide these into two groups (i) historical (ii) geographical.

Question 1

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Italy is one of the original six members of the EU. Its distinctive boot-shaped narrow peninsula juts out into the Mediterranean Sea (Figure 1). Italy is one of several EU countries which form one of the most visited areas in the world (pages 66–67). It is the fi fth most popular tourist destination in the world (Figure 2). It has many attractions for visitors – not just its Mediterranean coastline and climate.

In the north, the Alps form Italy’s borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Mont Blanc (4810 m) is the highest peak in Italy. This area of the country has many ski resorts such as Courmayeur (Figure 3), attracting winter sports enthusiasts. The winter Olympics were held in Turin in 2006. The mountain scenery is also popular with walkers during the rest of the year.

EU case studies

Figure 2 About … tourism in Italy

tourism in Italy• Italy is one of the top ten tourist

destinations in the world• Only France, Spain, the USA

and China attract more visitors each year

• 46 million people visited in 2011, almost 6% more than the year before

• Visitors come from Italy, the rest of the EU and from all over the world

About …


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Europe

Figure 3 Italian Alps ski resort, Courmayeur

Figure 4 The Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius

Figure 5 A cruise ship arriving in Venice

Italy’s coastline is very long (9225 km) and varied. Tourists can enjoy the sea and beaches as well as the hot, dry summers. However, it has another natural attraction – volcanoes. Italy is home to the only active volcanoes in mainland Europe. These are Mount Etna (on Sicily), Mount Vesuvius (near Naples) and Stromboli (on a small island just north of Sicily). Both Etna and Stromboli have erupted frequently in recent years. Vesuvius (Figure 4) last erupted in 1944, but is still classed as active. Its most famous eruption was in ad 69, when it destroyed Pompeii. Today, Pompeii is one of many historic locations in Italy which attracts huge numbers of tourists.

Italy has a long and rich history. It has hundreds of historic buildings such as the Colosseum (page 41). Many of these are in Rome, once the centre of the Roman Empire. Another seat of power in Rome is the Vatican, the official residence of the Pope and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millions of Roman Catholics visit the Vatican every year, some on pilgrimages and others to see St Peter’s Basilica (the world’s largest Catholic Church) and the Sistine Chapel.

Apart from Rome, one of Italy’s most visited cities is Venice (Figure 5). Located in the north-east, Venice has been built on a group of over a hundred small islands. They are linked together by bridges which cross the many canals between the islands. Also a World Heritage Site like the Vatican, Venice has a rich history and is best known for its art and architecture. More recently it has become an important fashion and shopping centre.

Tourism is vital to Italy’s economy, but relying so heavily on just one industry can cause problems – for example, if visitor numbers fall. However, both Italy’s geography and history have provided it with a wide variety of attractions, available across the seasons. This helps it to attract a range of visitors.


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Figure 1 About … Poland

Figure 2 Poland’s changing borders

2.14 Poland’s changing bordersPoland is one of the EU’s newest members, joining, along with ten others, in 2004. At just over 38 million, it has the sixth highest population in the EU – more than all the others who joined with them put together (Figure 1).

Poland is one of many European countries whose borders have changed many times throughout history, and especially during the last 100 years (pages 46–47). Figures 2a to 2b show some of these changes. Map 2a has been included because it shows Poland when it had its greatest amount of land. At the time (1634) it was the largest country in Europe, and only two others had more people. It was the dominant power in Eastern Europe. Map 2b shows how Poland ceased to exist as it was divided up in the 1770s between Austria, Prussia and Russia.

What problems are caused when borders change so frequently?

Question 1

Maps 2c and 2d show Poland in the twentieth century. World War I saw the defeat of Russia, Germany and Austria and the re-emergence of Poland as an independent country. By 1920 it was only half the size it had once been. Map 2d shows further changes after the end of World War II. Although it gained some land in the west from Germany, it lost far more in the east to the Soviet Union. When borders change, especially when land is lost, people are displaced. Millions of people, many of them Poles, found themselves displaced at the end of WWII (pages 48–49).

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EU case studiesPoland• Ninth largest country in Europe• Population 38 million• Capital city: Warsaw• One of the highest number of

lakes in the world – approx.10 000, big and small

• 60% of the land is used for farming, employing 15% of the workforce

• 30% of the land is forest

About …


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Figure 3 Zywieckie Lake in Poland

Poland todayPoland is located on Eastern Europe’s Baltic coast, with Germany to its west and Russia and Belarus to its east. Much of the country is fl at lowland, except for the Carpathian Mountains along its southern border. The lowlands have many lakes (Figure 3) and low hills. Poland has many natural resources including minerals such as iron, zinc, copper and rock salt. It is also the EU’s largest producer and exporter of coal.

Explain why Poland wanted to join the EU.

Question 2

When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, Poland was already undergoing its own major changes. The Solidarity movement (Figure 4) dominated the 1980s, with workers challenging the ruling Communist Party. Eventually this led to full and free parliamentary elections in 1991, and Poland became a fully democratic country. This was one of the criteria it needed to be able to apply for EU membership. Once a Warsaw Pact country, in 1999 Poland joined NATO.

Poland held a referendum in 1993 to seek membership of the EU. It became a member in 2004. This meant it had access to the single market. The Polish economy began to improve after years of infl ation and problems. It started to attract foreign investment, helping industry develop and grow. Hundreds of thousands of Poles took the opportunity to travel freely across the EU. Many also took the opportunity to work in other EU countries, often for much better pay.

Figure 4 Striking Solidarity members outside the shipyards of Gdansk, Poland


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Figure 2 Advantages and disadvantages for migrant workers

2.15 Poland: migrationOne of the benefi ts of joining the EU meant that the Polish people were free to seek work and travel to other EU countries. Full access is allowed now into all EU countries for those who joined in 2004. This was not the case to begin with, when only the UK, Ireland and Sweden had no restrictions. Poland estimated that just under 2 million people migrated between 2004 and 2006, mostly to the UK and Ireland.

The UK did not expect such high numbers to arrive: their estimate was for no more than a total of 13 000. Figure 1, however, shows that by 2006 at least 500 000 had migrated from Poland alone. There were probably as many as this again from other new EU countries. The fi gure may well have been higher, as it is impossible to know how many arrived who did not register. EU citizens are allowed to move to fi nd work – they don’t have to register.

Why did so many Poles migrate between 2004 and 2006? Some moved because for the fi rst time they had the freedom to do so. They were attracted by the opportunity of work and to experience the very different culture of Western Europe. At the time unemployment and infl ation in Poland were high. A shortage of housing meant that several generations lived in one family home, sometimes quite small apartments.

Make a list of the push and pull factors which affect why people migrate.

Question 1

Figure 1 About … Polish workers in the UK

Polish workers in the UK• Approximately 400 000 Poles registered

to work in the UK between May 2004 and March 2006

• 80 per cent of those registered were between 18 and 34 years old

• 97 per cent of registered migrants are in full-time employment

• 7000 applied for benefi ts. Only 10 per cent of these were progressed

• Less than 8 per cent of registered workers brought dependents to the UK with them

• An estimated 100 000 workers are unregistered

About …

Advantages Disadvantages

Migrant worker andsource country(where migrant comes from)

Wages often higher than at home

Wages are usually quite low compared to others in host country

Money can be saved and sent back home

Work is usually unskilled or in the service sector, e.g. farm work, labouring, catering, care work

Have to register for work: by paying taxes they qualify for benefi ts if they need them

Usually young men who migrate for work, may lead to shortages at home and a fall in birth rates

Workers often live together or in specifi c areas so they can

support each other

Local people can resent groups of migrants who don’t integrate

Host country(where migrant goes to)

Fill jobs local people don’t want Locals may complain that ‘their’ jobs are being taken

Cheap labour Resentment that benefi ts are claimed by ‘foreigners’

Taxes paid which support home economy

If money is sent home, less is spent in host country

Migrants are often young May bring families with them or start families in host country

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Figure 3 Polish workers picking fl owers on a farm in Lincolnshire in the UK

Figure 4 A Polish shop in Merthyr Tydfi l, Wales

Migrant workers gain from moving and bring benefi ts to the host country, but they can also experience diffi culties and create problems (Figure 2). Some Polish workers who moved to the UK do fi nd work which uses their skills such as plumbers, but many others are employed in picking crops or working in the service industry. Graduates pick fruit and fl owers (Figure 3) whilst qualifi ed accountants serve coffee. Many do so because low wages in the UK are better than no job at home.

As with most migrant groups, the Poles in the UK have also faced

Apart from � lling jobs, what other bene� ts have Polish migrants brought to the UK.

Question 2problems. Migrants traditionally live together in particular towns or cities. When they are in larger groups, local people are more aware of them and they are less likely to integrate, especially when there is obvious hostility. Instead they begin to set up their own shops (Figure 4) and social groups. This can make relations with locals worse – yet where it works well and becomes established, it can also enrich both communities. Despite the perception that ‘they’ are taking over, in many cases migrant workers are exploited and share overcrowded, poor quality accommodation and work long hours.

After 2006 the pattern began to change. The Polish economy started to improve and unemployment rates fell rapidly. In the UK, the global recession saw government spending fall and the loss of thousands of jobs. Poland, like the UK, is not part of the Eurozone single currency. At home, the Polish currency became stronger against the pound. This made working in the UK less attractive as the pound was worth less at home. At the same time, wages in Poland almost doubled since it joined the EU. The Polish government are encouraging migrants to return – especially those with high skill levels. About half those who migrated to the UK are now believed to have returned home. Many of the others have chosen to stay and settle in the UK. They have bought property, set up businesses and started families.


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