Energy Cost Allowance (TEK): the subsidy for energy-intensive SMEs

The Energy Cost Allowance (TEK) was a temporary scheme of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to compensate energy-intensive SMEs for sharply increased energy costs. Companies whose energy costs amounted to at least 7% of turnover could receive an allowance of up to €160,000, through compensation of 50% of the energy cost increase above a set threshold price. The scheme applied to the period from 1 November 2022 up to and including 31 December 2023.

Who the scheme applied to

• A company that spent at least 7% of its turnover on energy costs.
• The company was registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
• A maximum of 249 employees, no more than €50 million in turnover and/or a balance sheet total of no more than €43 million.
• The maximum total allowance was €160,000 per company, with the exception of agricultural businesses such as growers: for this sector the maximum allowance was €62,000, in line with European state aid rules.
• Foundations, associations and other institutions that met the conditions could also apply for the scheme.

How the allowance was calculated

The threshold price, the part that the entrepreneur bore themselves, was set at €1.19 per m³ for gas and €0.35 per kWh for electricity. The subsidy calculation worked with a maximum price of €3.19 per m³ of gas and €0.95 per kWh of electricity. Entrepreneurs were reimbursed for a maximum of 50% of the difference between the threshold price and the maximum price.

Application period and processing

The TEK desk was open from 21 March up to and including 2 October 2023. Entrepreneurs could apply retroactively for an allowance covering the period from 1 November 2022 up to and including 31 December 2023. After a positive decision, an advance payment was made within two weeks; the exact deadline for submitting the final assessment request was communicated to applicants by the RVO at the time.

The scheme is closed

The TEK has been closed to new applications since 2 October 2023 and can no longer be applied for. This page remains online as a reference for anyone who used the scheme at the time or who would like to know more about it. For current subsidies and schemes for energy-intensive companies, see our Energy subsidies page or contact us for personal advice.

Source: RVO