News item | 11-08-2022 | 13:03
The budget of the Energy Efficiency Greenhouse Horticulture (EG) subsidy scheme will be increased from 25 to 60 million euros for applications submitted in 2022. This increase, which applies to applications submitted in 2022, will boost the energy transition in greenhouse horticulture and the vast majority of positively assessed applications will be available.
Greenhouse horticultural companies were again able to apply for a subsidy this year for the application of techniques that have proven to save energy. The increase will enable more companies to invest in energy-saving measures, such as installing LED lighting, energy screens or connecting to a heat network. This year, the scheme was open to grant applications from 19 April to 30 June. Greenhouse horticultural companies applied for a subsidy for almost 80 million euros. A higher opening budget of the EC subsidy scheme not only contributes to making greenhouse horticulture more sustainable and reducing the demand for gas in that sector, but also to lower demand for electricity in the Netherlands as a whole and a reduction in pressure on the electricity grids.
Minister Staghouwer: “If we want to achieve the climate goals, an acceleration of the energy transition is necessary. A climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture in 2040 is the joint target. I want to work with the sector to achieve the goals set together. It is clear that this will be a major challenge. A lot is already happening in greenhouse horticulture when it comes to energy savings and I want to continue to support that. I am impressed by the innovative power and creativity of companies to keep innovating.”
The greenhouse horticulture sector has the ambition to be climate neutral by 2040. This ambition is included in the Climate Agreement, in which an important role for the EC subsidy scheme has also been identified. There is great potential in the greenhouse horticulture sector to be a frontrunner in energy-efficient and circular production of high-quality vegetables, flowers and plants. The high gas prices reinforce the urgency to take further action and accelerate investments in this transition.
More information about the Energy Efficiency Greenhouse Horticulture (EG) subsidy can be found at the RVO website.