Energy-intensive SMEs receive government support

With the new Energy Cost Allowance Scheme (TEK), the government wants to help medium-sized and small companies that use a lot of energy and are experiencing difficulties as a result of high energy prices. In addition, a temporary compensation scheme should come into effect in November, but its precise details are not yet clear.

A subsidy scheme to help SMEs was already announced during Budget Day. The conditions for the temporary targeted compensation scheme are broadly based on an entrepreneur's energy consumption and turnover. The compensation will then consist of part of the cost increase this year and in 2023. But there is no clarity yet about the precise target groups, the total budget and the maximum support per company. The government promises to provide more clarity in the short term.

The introduction of the TEK scheme, in which the RVO will be the point of contact, is not expected to take place until the second quarter of next year. This is due to the mandatory assessment against EU directives.

According to the cabinet this late introduction is not sufficient for energy-intensive SMEs who are already in acute problems and still have the winter of 2022/2023 ahead of them. That is why the government promises to have other measures ready from November, such as a bridging scheme.

MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW respond satisfactorily on the compensation scheme and the bridging scheme. However, the employers' organizations are advocating that the schemes should also apply retroactively, so that previous high energy costs are also compensated.