Gebied: Nederland
Expenditures on the energy transition include subsidies. In addition, the government also grants discounts on taxes on energy use. These include, for example, the connection discount on the energy bill, free issuance of CO2 emission rights, and in 2023 the energy ceiling. Without these discounts, tax revenues would have been 7.5 billion euros higher. The government annually loses more income due to tax discounts on energy use than it spends on promoting energy savings and a sustainable energy supply.
Of all taxes on energy consumption, 60 percent in 2024 were related to road transport: excise duties on motor fuels, tax on the purchase of a car or motorcycle (bpm), and motor vehicle tax. When VAT levied on excise duties is included, this share is even 63 percent. 20 percent came from energy tax on electricity and natural gas.
In 2022 and 2023, income from energy tax was lower. In 2023, a price ceiling was introduced as compensation for rising energy prices. Taxes on CO2 (emission rights) and on airline tickets have increased in recent years.
Of the government expenditures on the energy transition in 2024, 1.5 billion euros went to subsidies stimulating sustainable energy (SDE) for companies. Subsidies for the greening of buildings amounted to 1.0 billion euros.
Many subsidy schemes have a short duration, causing the package of measures to change annually. The SDE is a long-term scheme that depends on annual energy prices and therefore fluctuates in size. In 2022 and 2023, expenditures on the SDE were relatively low, years in which energy prices were high.
The expenditures of local governments on the energy transition via so-called specific grants from the national government (SPUKs) have increased sharply in recent years. In the period 2019-2024, these rose from zero to 600 million euros. In addition, the national government provided extra capital to TenneT in 2019, 2022, and 2023, among other things for strengthening the high-voltage grid, but not in other years.
From local to national, everything in one place. That's all very nice and handy, but our coffee supply is running low.