Renewable projects worth EUR 12bn vying in Dutch subsidy scheme

Projects totalling 4.1 GW and calling for a combined investment of EUR 12 billion (USD 13.55bn) are competing for subsidies to be allocated under the 2021 opening round of the Netherlands’ SDE++ incentive programme for renewables.

A total of 4,109 applications have been filed with the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) for the so-called Stimulating Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++) scheme, which will award only EUR 5 billion. The proposals are currently under review.

According to provisional data released by RVO on Friday, carbon capture and storage projects had together requested EUR 6.1 billion in funding through the programme, while EUR 2.2 billion is being targeted by solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. The latter are forming the largest category in terms of installed capacity, accounting for 3.92 GW.

The SDE++ scheme is open to all renewable energy technologies contributing to sustainable energy production and carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction, including advanced renewable fuels.

RVO will allocate the subsidies depending on the time of submission of the applications under the principle first come, first served. Schemes with the lowest subsidy requirement will be given priority. The initiative guarantees participants a stable level of revenue over 12 to 15 years, depending on the technology.

In the previous edition of the programme, SDE+, was initially designed to exclude small-scale installations but was modified in 2020 to cover all renewable technologies.

The budget for the 2022 programme will be extended, RVO said.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.129)

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