Minister Adriaansens stated in a Chamber letter indicated that the TEK is being expanded. We have already described the TEK in a recent article.
Energy intensity
The TEK is aimed at energy-intensive SMEs. To this end, the scheme previously included a threshold of 12.5%: under the TEK, a business is classified as energy-intensive if its energy costs amount to 12.5% (or more) of its turnover. This assessment is based on the first and second quarters of 2022.
This threshold is being lowered from 12.5% to 7%. As a result of the reduction, around 41,000 SME business owners will benefit from the scheme (the total cost is estimated at €1.65 billion). Without the threshold, around 62,000 SMEs would be eligible for the scheme because they fall within the consumption limits (more than 5,000 m³ of gas / 50,000 kWh of electricity).
MKB-Nederland and VNO NCW have now let us know that the thresholds of 5,000 m³ of gas and 50,000 kWh of electricity are also to be removed from the scheme. This will enable smaller SME business owners to apply for the TEK as well.
Opening
What remains unchanged is the – expected – launch of the scheme. As detailed and careful preparation still requires time, and as approval from the European Commission is required, it may take until the second quarter of 2023 before the scheme is opened, with retroactive effect from 1 November 2022.