With the Sustainable Energy Production Subsidy Scheme (SDE+), the Dutch government encourages the development of a sustainable energy supply in the Netherlands. The SDE+ for 2015 opened at 09:00 on 31 March 2015 and closes at 17:00 on 17 December 2015. The total SDE+ subsidy pot is filled with as much as EUR 3.5 billion, which amount will become available in 9 phases.
Each grant phase has a higher maximum eligible amount compared to the previous phase. It can therefore be lucrative to apply for a grant later in the year. However, applications received after the budget for a phase has been exceeded will be rejected.
SDE+ targets companies and (non-profit) institutions (i.e. not individuals) that produce or will produce renewable energy. It is a operating subsidy, which means that the government does not contribute to the cost of the investment (investment subsidy), but makes a contribution on the proceeds of the energy produced to make that production sufficiently profitable.
The subsidy is paid over a period of 5, 8, 12 or 15 years and covers the difference between the cost of grey energy and renewable energy. The subsidy granted at the start of a project is the maximum amount to be disbursed. The actual annual amounts disbursed depend on the actual base energy price in the relevant year.
SDE+ subsidy can be applied for the production of renewable:
- electricity;
- heat (or combined generation of renewable heat and electricity);
- gas.
The application for SDE+ subsidy is done via the eLoket of the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO); www.rvo.nl). Depending on the specific installation for which the application is made, additional conditions may apply. Applications are processed by the RFO on a first-come, first-served basis and, as indicated above, once the budget is exceeded, subsequent subsidy applications are rejected.