Zero-emission operations

NS aims for its operations to be entirely fossil-free by 2040. This means that by 2040 we will use green electricity at all times of the day and every day of the week for running our trains as well as for our buildings and offices. To achieve that, we focus on what we refer to as the ‘Trias Energetica’:

• Energy consumption and energy efficiency

• Sustainable generation on our own land and buildings

• Purchase of zero-emission energy

Energy consumption by NS

• *To calculate total energy consumption, total electricity consumption (in MWh) was converted to GJ.

Total energy consumption by NS in 2024 was 4,546,327 gigajoules (GJ). The change compared to 2023 was minimal, at an increase of 0.5%. Total electricity consumption increased by 1.1%, mainly due to the growth in passenger kilometres. This effect is partly offset by the reduction in consumption of other fuels.
Conversions to megawatt hours (MWh) and GJ were carried out based on (a) the Netherland Enterprise Agency’s Dutch list of energy carriers and standard CO₂ emission factors, January 2024 version, and (b) Statistics Netherlands energy mass units. In the conversion to renewable fuels, petrol and diesel are assumed to contain 8.5% and 10% biofuel in E10 and B7 respectively.

Energy efficiency of traction

At NS, we use the term ‘energy efficiency of traction’ (EET) to refer to the energy consumption of our trains per passenger-kilometre. The table shows the EET together with passenger-kilometres and total energy consumption (traction electricity) of our trains including replacement bus services (diesel), normalised to the average temperature for the past five years. Starting this year, EET will only be calculated on the main rail network scope instead of total consumption by NS. Passenger-kilometres will also be calculated according to a new method. See below for the EET figures for the past two years according to the new scope.

NS consumed a total of 1,082 gigawatt hours for the purpose of running trains in 2024. In 2024, energy consumption per passenger-kilometre was 69.6 watt hours per passenger-kilometre (Wh/pkm), which is a slight improvement on 2023 (70.9 Wh/pkm). 

Energy efficiency

Running trains

Relatively mild temperatures, efforts to coordinate rolling stock length with passenger demand and the gradual introduction of the more energy-efficient ICNG meant that we used less energy per passenger-kilometre (pkm) than in 2023. Also in 2024, annual traction energy consumption was made 100% more sustainable through Guarantees of Origin.

Finally, research into energy storage gained momentum this year. Market candidates that offer new battery technologies have been explored and theoretical frameworks for deployment of storage systems have been fleshed out, for both on-train and trackside energy storage. The insights from this study will be taken into account in ongoing discussions on grid congestion with parties such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs and ProRail.

Train maintenance

NS has taken various measures to reduce energy consumption in its train maintenance workshops. Examples include LED lighting, heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps, and gas-free new buildings. NS is exploring options for battery storage at workshops, for instance to make more effective use of energy it generates itself. We also worked to install a Thermal Energy Storage system at our largest maintenance site in 2024.

Making stations and offices more sustainable

NS wants its stations and other real estate to be sustainable and has signed up to the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) Paris Proof in 2050 Commitment. It is our ambition to meet the Paris Agreement commitments by 2050. The strategy to improve the sustainability of our property was adopted in 2024, and sustainability measures were planned for the entire property portfolio. See the chapter on Stations and their environment for more information.

Purchase of zero-emission energy

NS purchases energy from energy suppliers. We have several contracts to ensure the supply of power for trains and power and natural gas for our buildings.

Our current contract for the supply of electricity for our trains expired at the end of 2024. For three years starting on 1 January 2025, PZEM and Shell will supply us with electricity and Guarantees of Origin (GoOs) respectively from European wind and solar farms for running trains.

Expectations are that technological opportunities for energy generation and storage will increase substantially in the coming years. NS is preparing to reduce its dependence on fossil back-up in future for those times when there is no sunshine and no wind. The intention is for the time of use and time of generation to always be the same, which is expressed as the hour-matching percentage. 100% is the ultimate goal. One of the ways we are trying to achieve this is by researching storage options.

We purchase electricity and natural gas for our buildings from various suppliers. We are making our electricity use more sustainable through GoOs from Europe.

Replacement bus services

Since 2019, we have offered carbon-neutral replacement bus services that run directly and indirectly on renewable fuels. After adjusting the emission factor for renewable fuels in 2021, we offset the remaining emissions of CO₂ equivalents through Gold Standard's Verified Emission Reductions. NS is working with partners on innovations to help us move towards a zero emission replacement bus service. For example, a number of bus companies used funds including the NS and Transvision innovation budget to purchase three fully electric coaches in 2024, which were commissioned in the autumn. We also launched a trial of a hydrogen-powered bus with another transport company.

Sustainable generation from own land and buildings

NS uses its own land and buildings to generate sustainable energy. There are around 3,000 solar panels on the roofs of several NS maintenance facilities. In 2024, we measured renewable electricity generation of over 636,407 kWh (2023: 676,081 kWh), which is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 250,000 households. NS also makes its land available to other parties to generate renewable energy. 

NS is a member of the Netherlands Association for Sustainable Energy (NVDE)

Collaboration with partners is essential to enable progress on all these themes. Together the NVDE, we and the other members highlight the switch from car to public transport and shared transport as an indispensable contribution towards achieving climate targets. We also harness the knowledge of the NVDE and its members to develop a long-term energy strategy.