Politics · Netherlands · 7 hrs ago
Dutch industry to get €150 million extra to offset high electricity costs
The Dutch government will give industry €150 million extra next year to help with high electricity and network costs.
The support is for companies in the Netherlands, where firms pay more for electricity and network charges than competitors in Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
The government would prefer to compensate companies directly, but European state aid rules do not allow that approach.
Instead, the money will go through a sustainability fund, and companies receiving support must use half of it for measures such as saving energy or generating renewable electricity.
Funding already agreed in the government’s coalition agreement will also be made available earlier: €345 million from 2028 and €495 million a year from 2029.
The energy industry association welcomes the support but says companies need more funding and long-term, predictable policy to invest with confidence.
The government’s letter to parliament sets out the new funding, while the association says more support should be available on a lasting basis.
The Dutch government will provide industry with an extra €150 million next year to help offset high electricity costs.
Companies receiving the compensation must spend half of it on sustainability measures.
Funding agreed earlier will become available sooner, rising to €345 million from 2028 and €495 million a year from 2029.
A government comparison found Dutch companies pay more for electricity and network costs than competitors in Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Energy-Nederland welcomed the support but said businesses need more funding and predictable, long-term policy.
- Who
- The Dutch government and Dutch industrial companies.
- What
- The government will provide an extra €150 million to offset high electricity and network costs. Recipients must spend half the compensation on sustainability measures.
- When
- Next year, meaning 2027, with previously agreed funding available from 2028 and 2029.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- Dutch industrial companies pay more for electricity and network costs than competitors in several neighboring countries.
Dutch government
Energie-Nederland
Scale of support
Dutch government
The government is providing an extra €150 million next year and bringing forward previously agreed funds.
Energie-Nederland
The association welcomed the support but said more money is needed.
Policy design
Dutch government
The government’s support must go through a sustainability fund because EU state aid rules do not allow direct compensation.
Energie-Nederland
The association said businesses need long-term, predictable policy and a structural fund to invest with confidence.
The government announced an extra €150 million for industry next year.
The extra €150 million is due to be provided to help offset high electricity costs.
Previously agreed funding is due to become available at €345 million.
Previously agreed funding is due to rise to €495 million a year.
- Extra compensation
- €150 million
- Funding from 2028
- €345 million
- Funding from 2029
- €495 million a year
- Required sustainability spending
- Half of the compensation
- Countries in government comparison
- Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom
2 sources
What people are saying
But for companies that want to invest, this is not enough. They need long-term and predictable policy so that they can invest with confidence.