News item | 14-10-2022 | 16:45
SMEs whose energy costs correspond to at least 12.5% of the turnover receive a compensation of up to 160,000 euros through the Energy Cost Contribution scheme (TEK). These energy-intensive SMEs receive a compensation of 50% of the increase in energy costs above a fixed so-called threshold price. Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) today informed the House of Representatives about the elaboration of the TEK that will apply for the period November 2022 to December 2023. The expected costs of the TEK could amount to approximately 3.1 billion euros.
In order to make a feasible scheme, due to European state aid rules and the necessary approval by the European Commission, the opening of the TEK could last until the second quarter of 2023. Some of the energy-intensive SMEs are already in acute problems and still has the winter of 2022/2023 to go. That is why the cabinet has also decided to treat individual entrepreneurs who submit a request for tax deferral until the TEK is opened up. Financial service providers, such as banks, have also been found willing to deal with requests for liquidity such as advances more quickly and more flexibly.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (EZK): “The billions in support via the TEK is a targeted compensation for energy-intensive SMEs. The cabinet will temporarily take on part of the accrued bill. These essentially healthy companies generally want to save and become more sustainable, but at the same time do not avoid high energy consumption due to their type of production process or service. Moreover, not every SME can raise their prices enough to cover energy costs and maintain sufficient sales.”
Target audience
The cabinet expects that several tens of thousands of companies will be able to use the TEK, including bakers and production locations/workshops. Agricultural companies such as market gardeners also fall under the TEK, but in line with European state aid rules, a lower maximum amount per company applies (€62,000 instead of €160,000). The previously announced price ceiling for small consumers (households, self-employed persons and smaller offices) also supports at least 250,000 companies with the increased energy costs.
Minimum consumption and threshold price
The TEK compensation is for companies with a maximum of 250 employees that are registered in the Dutch Trade Register. To be eligible, in addition to the energy intensity requirement (the amount of energy costs corresponds to at least 12.5% of the turnover), they must have an annual consumption that is higher than 5,000 cubic meters of gas or 50,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. The threshold price has been set at €1.19 per cubic meter of gas and €0.35 per kilowatt hour of electricity.
Information for entrepreneurs via RVO and Chamber of Commerce
RVO will implement the TEK scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. That is why a ‘keep me informed page’ has been opened for entrepreneurs on the rvo.nl website, where SMEs receive information about the design and opening of the TEK after registration.
For information and personal advice, entrepreneurs can also contact the Energy Desk of the Chamber of Commerce at kvk.nl/energieloket. In addition to providing practical advice on business operations, the Chamber of Commerce refers specifically to the subsidies and schemes at the RVO executive that allow companies to become more sustainable or save.