News item | 01-04-2025 | 08:00
From 1 April, companies and institutions that get stuck through the full power grid can apply for subsidies to hire and/or make investments in order to continue with their growth or sustainability plans. The aim is for companies to continue through practical solutions, without first having to wait for a heavier connection to the power grid. € 62 million is available for the scheme.
The power grid is not full 24 hours a day in most places, but especially during ‘peak hours’ as companies and households at the same time, for example, use a lot of electricity between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. If a company can limit power consumption during peak hours, it can still be possible to grow and/or to make it more sustainable. In practice, that is often not easy to organize, which is why the government helps companies with this.
In addition, the cabinet continues to use the power grid as quickly as possible, because throughout the Netherlands the power grid runs into the borders. Companies with a large consumer connection that want a new or heavier connection, for example to expand or make it more sustainable, will be on a waiting list. Network operators and the government work on expanding the power grid as quickly as possible, but that takes time. It is therefore important to better use the space on the power grid.
Help with advice and investments with Flex-E scheme
With the new Flex-E scheme, companies and institutions with a connection from 100kW can therefore hire expertise on location to map the possibilities. This is possible, for example, by controlling devices to avoid the ‘striker’ on the power grid, to save heat or electricity on its own site and/or switch to a different type of contract with the network operator. The scheme reimburses a maximum of half the costs for the advice.
In addition to advice on what is possible and feasible, companies can also request support for any investments required. This concerns a maximum of 35% of the investment up to a maximum amount of 300,000 euros. A condition is that the solution should not burden the power grid worse during peak times. A flexible contract with the network operator is therefore a requirement to be eligible for a subsidy.
Rvo
The Flex-E scheme can be requested from 1 April to 15 October 2025 by companies and institutions with a connection from 100kW to the middle or high-voltage network via the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). More information about the scheme and the conditions can be found on the Website of RVO.