Background information

Due to rising energy costs, the Dutch government introduced a price cap on energy for households and other small consumers. The price cap will be introduced on 1 January 2023. To help households already earlier this winter, households and other small consumers will receive a fixed discount of €190 per month on energy bills in November and December. This compensation is the same for all small consumers and will be settled through the energy suppliers.

Content of measure

Price caps for energy sources are as follows:

• Gas: the maximum tariff will be €1.45 per cubic metre up to a consumption of 1,200 cubic metres.
• Electricity: the maximum tariff will be €0.40 per KWh and the maximum consumption is 2,900 kWh.
• Energy consumption above the ceiling, households and other small consumers will pay the tariff as included in the energy contract.

For November and December, households will receive a fixed discount on energy bills of €190 per month. Energy suppliers receive a fee for energy consumption below the cap. This compensation will be fully used to reduce energy prices for consumers and other small users. By doing so, the support reaches households and other small consumers and the government prevents energy suppliers themselves from getting into financial difficulties due to the implementation of the cap.

The total cost depends on the development of energy prices. If energy prices remain at similar levels, the total cost of the price cap and the relief in November and December is estimated at around €23.5 billion.

Use of measure

All households are eligible. No additional on uptake is currently available,

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Solo-self-employed One person or microenterprises Start-ups	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Company / Companies	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners were involved in the design phase of the measure on the initiative of both the social partners and the government. How they actually influenced the measure is not known, but the social partners are generally happy with the existing measure. This is mainly reflected in supportive messages of trade unions and employer organisations alike.

Views and reactions

Most reactions by social partners were supportive. They welcome the energy subsidy and emphasize the need for this measure. However, some social partners point out the problems with for example people sharing one energy meter or using collective heating systems. The partners are still involved in fine-tuning the measure also for these groups.

Sources

• 04 October 2022: Vanaf 1 januari lagere energierekening door verruimd prijsplafond (www.rijksoverheid.nl)