News item | 09-01-2025 | 09:00
Today, the subsidy scheme for home insulation in Groningen and North Drenthe went into internet consultation. This insulation approach is one of the 50 measures of Nij Begun, a broad package for a generation-long investment in the recovery of Groningen and North Drenthe. The government has made a total of 1.65 billion euros available for this purpose from 2025 to 2035. With this scheme, home owners can apply for up to 50% or 100% subsidy for insulation, including national subsidies. In this way, residents can reduce their energy bills. With this insulation approach, the region is taking an important first step towards a sustainable future without natural gas.
Principles of the insulation approach
The proposed subsidy scheme (measure 29) is intended to insulate all homes to the insulation standard in the province of Groningen and the North Drenthe municipalities of Tynaarlo, Noordenveld and Aa en Hunze. This gives the homes the level of insulation required to switch to sustainable heating such as a heat pump or heat network. The subsidy scheme has been developed with the municipalities, housing associations, provinces and the government involved. It has been tested in the meantime with residents’ representatives, social organizations and parties with expertise in parts of the subsidy and its implementation.
Home owners in the reinforcement area, and those with an income up to 140% of the social minimum, can receive a 100% subsidy. This also applies to houses that are not included in the reinforcement operation, but are located in a district or neighborhood where more than 30% of the houses are included in the reinforcement operation. They will also receive an extra €1,000 as compensation for finishing costs. Home owners in the rest of the area and (private) landlords with more than one rental home can receive a 50% subsidy. Replacing window frames, floors, roofs and facades is not covered by the scheme, because they are not necessary to achieve the insulation standard. However, costs for bio-based insulation materials and nature-friendly insulation are eligible for a subsidy.
The 50% subsidy contribution is also available to landlords for insulation and ventilation measures to improve rental properties. It has been agreed with the housing associations that they will not implement rent increases based on the measures taken.
House plan and care
To help determine which measures are required for the insulation standard, a pool of energy coaches and advisors will be available. They draw up a home plan free of charge with advice on the required insulation and ventilation work. In certain cases, homeowners can choose to implement these measures themselves, without a home plan.
In addition, a broader unburdening and upscaling approach is being developed to help anyone who wants it. Through this approach, homeowners receive step-by-step support throughout the entire process: from drawing up a housing plan, applying for the subsidy to implementing the measure(s). Municipalities, market parties and the province are looking for ways to scale up the market among construction companies to make sufficient capacity available.
Planning entrance of subsidy scheme
The aim is for homeowners, landlords and homeowners’ associations to apply for a subsidy contribution around the summer of 2025 for investments that have been made previously and for which costs have already been incurred. This concerns the retroactive regulation for insulation and ventilation measures, which were taken from April 25, 2023 until the regulation comes into effect.
A phased approach
A phased opening of the subsidy has been chosen in the first year after the subsidy desk has been opened. This guarantees sufficient implementation capacity without compromising the pace of damage repair or reinforcement. The subsidy will be available in twelve phases, with a portion of the homes being allocated each time. After that first year, the counter will be open to everyone until 2035. The order of the phasing has been determined together with all municipalities.
Background information internet consultation
The internet consultation started on January 8, 2025 and will run until January 27, 2025. Interested parties can view the scheme via internetconsultatie.nl and indicate their response here. After the consultation period, all responses will be carefully assessed. In a general report to the House of Representatives, the government provides feedback on how the responses have been weighed and incorporated into the subsidy scheme. The intention is to submit the amended legislation and this report to the House of Representatives in March. Information about the insulation approach is available www.nijbegun.nl/isolationapproach and Rijksoverheid.nl. This website is regularly updated with information about progress.