Dutch Businesses Request Three Times More Green Energy Subsidies Than Available Budget
Netherlands, Saturday, 13 December 2025.
Dutch entrepreneurs applied for nearly €22 billion in green energy subsidies through the SDE++ scheme in 2025, almost triple the €8 billion available budget. The overwhelming demand highlights accelerating climate transition efforts, with hydrogen and green gas production facilities generating particular interest among businesses seeking to reduce emissions and energy consumption.
Record Application Volumes Overwhelm Subsidy Program
Between October 7 and November 6, 2025, Dutch entrepreneurs submitted 468 applications to the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) through the Stimulering Duurzame Energieproductie en Klimaattransitie (SDE++) scheme [1]. The total requested amount of nearly €22 billion represents a staggering 275 percent of the available €8 billion budget, demonstrating unprecedented demand for green transition funding [1]. Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth communicated these results to the Second Chamber, highlighting the competitive landscape that has emerged around sustainable energy investments [1].
Hydrogen and Green Gas Projects Drive Application Surge
The most striking aspect of this year’s applications was the concentrated interest in hydrogen and green gas production facilities, with businesses requesting over €6.3 billion specifically for these technologies [1]. Additionally, carbon capture and storage projects attracted significant attention, with entrepreneurs applying for a total of €9 billion in subsidies for CO2 reduction initiatives [1]. The strong preference for these emerging technologies reflects the Dutch business community’s strategic pivot toward next-generation clean energy solutions that can deliver substantial emissions reductions.
Competitive Selection Process Ensures Efficient Resource Allocation
RVO is currently evaluating all applications to determine technical and financial feasibility, with some submissions expected to be eliminated due to incomplete documentation, missing permits, or duplicate filings [1]. The agency identified at least €3.1 billion in duplicate applications for identical projects, which will be removed from consideration since each project can only receive subsidy funding once [1]. The selection process prioritizes projects that achieve the greatest CO2 savings at the lowest cost, creating intense competition that ensures optimal use of public funds [1]. While this competitive framework maximizes efficiency, it also means that many technically sound projects will not receive funding due to budget constraints [1].
Program Evolution Signals Shift in Clean Energy Support Strategy
The SDE++ scheme is undergoing significant structural changes that will reshape how the Netherlands supports renewable energy development. Starting potentially as early as 2027, wind turbines and solar panels will no longer be eligible for SDE++ subsidies, replaced instead by a contract-based support system with the government [1]. Industrial companies can expect expanded subsidy opportunities to facilitate their transition to electrification, including support for industrial heat pumps and electric boilers [1]. The next standard SDE++ application round is planned for autumn 2026, maintaining the current program structure for one more cycle before these fundamental changes take effect [1]. These modifications reflect the government’s evolution from broad renewable energy subsidies toward more targeted industrial decarbonization support, acknowledging that different sectors require distinct financial mechanisms to achieve climate goals [GPT].