Factsheet for measure
NL-2022-45/2959
–
Updated
– measures in Netherlands
Energy Costs Contribution Scheme for energy-intensive SMEs
Tegemoetkoming Energiekosten-regeling (TEK)
Background information
Businesses have been hit hard by sharply rising energy costs. The government has mapped its inventory of options for targeted support for SMEs, which cannot escape high consumption. Energy-intensive SMEs can apply for the Energy Cost Contribution Scheme (TEK). Businesses will be able to apply for the TEK scheme through the Rijksdienst voor ondernemend Nederland (RVO) in the second quarter of 2023.
Content of measure
Businesses (SMEs) that consume a lot of energy and for which energy costs are a large part of their total expenses can apply for the TEK scheme. The scheme compensates part of the increased energy costs. The TEK scheme was initially for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 December 2023. The temporary aid is designed to give businesses the opportunity to make their business more sustainable or change their business model to consider the high energy prices of the future. The TEK scheme provides for 50% of the amount a business pays more in energy costs than the threshold price. The threshold price is €1.19 per m³ of gas and €0.35 per kWh of electricity.
In order to qualify for TEK, an SME must:
* be considered energy-intensive
* be registered with the Chamber of Commerce
* consume at least 5000m³ of gas or 50,000 KWh of electricity per year
* have energy costs of at least 12.5% of the company's turnover.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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01 May 2023
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First usage data has been published by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
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19 December 2022
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More details regarding the eligibility for the measure have been published by the government. The TEK allowance is for SMEs with up to 250 employees registered in the Dutch Trade Register. To qualify, energy costs must be at least 7% of turnover. The condition that an entrepreneur is only eligible for the TEK if the company has to consume more than 5,000 cubic metres of gas or 50,000 KWh of electricity annually was removed.
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Use of measure
The Energy Cost Contribution for Energy-Intensive SMEs (TEK) opened on Tuesday 21 March 2023. After a short start-up period, the first applications have now been granted. As of 1 May 2023, a total of 3,368 TEK applications have been received. Of these, 369 applications have been granted. A total of €3,557,235 has been paid out.
Most applications came from restaurants (492), closely followed by fast food restaurants, cafeterias, ice cream parlours and food stalls (399), field football clubs (213), pubs (171) and tennis clubs (86).
On average, an applicant applied for around €28,500. The total amount requested currently stands at €10.5 million.
As of 30 October 2023, a total of 10,805 TEK applications have been received. Of these, 6,998 applications have been granted. A total of €110,029,324 has been paid out. The measure is now closed.
2024:
As of September 16, 2024, the TEK program received 10,866 applications, of which 8,353 were approved, 1,943 were rejected, and 570 were withdrawn, with all applications processed. A total of €159 million has been paid out in advance. The top sectors applying were restaurants (1,745), fast food and similar outlets (1,403), cafés (554), football clubs (533), and bakeries (314). For final settlements, 7,968 were received, with 8,085 completed, and 17 still in progress. There are 3,157 repayment arrangements in place.
In 2024, the final TEK subsidy was calculated using the average energy rates for 2023.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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SMEs
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Employers' organisations
Company / Companies
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level
Involvement
Unknown (no mention of this in the government policy)
Views and reactions
Employers' organisations have already criticized the measure for several reasons. They argue that the amount of subsidy is not high enough to keep businesses afloat. Furthermore, they wonder why the measure is not for larger companies of more than 250 employees, as they also face the same rising costs. Also, they argue that many companies may not meet the 12,5% of turnover-demands, while their costs could increase significantly. Finally, they will check if the measure is equal to measures in other EU countries, to preserve the level-playing-field.
Sources
