Loan

Updated: 09.01.2019

Author: Stijn Anciaux

A tax benefit exists for consumers who invest or put their savings in a green fund. This enables the banks to offer loans at lower interest rates to ‘green’ projects. For a project to qualify for such a loan it should apply for a declaration on the basis of the Regulation Green Projects 2016. In general projects, which positively affect the environment, can apply for this declaration. The declaration is valid for 10 or 15 years depending on the application (art 16. 1. (a) & (d) RGP 2016).

Eligible technologies

All RES-E technologies except biomass and biogas are eligible. 

Wind energy

Wind energy is eligible (art.7.c., RGP 2016)

Solar energy

PV is eligible (art.7.d., RGP 2016)

Geothermal energy

Eligible (art.7.f., RGP 2016)

Hydro-power

Hydropower is eligible (art.7.g., RGP 2016)

Amount

In practice the declaration on the basis of RGP 2016 will result in a reduction of the interest rate in the order of 1%. Minimum project costs are € 25,000 (art.15. 1. (e), RGP 2016) unless the project is related to art. 7.d. & e. or art. 8.a. RGP 2016.

Addressees

Entitled party: Any investor in ‘green’ projects is entitled to the tax benefit on the basis of RGP 2016, provided the project has a declaration stating that it qualifies for the label green project.

Procedure

Process flow

  •  The investor applies for a loan on the basis of RGP 2016 at a bank which manages a green fund
  • The bank applies for a green project declaration at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency
  • The Netherlands Enterprise Agency reviews the application on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
  •  If successful, the declaration will be granted by the reviewing agency to the bank and the investor Now, the bank can offer the loan at a reduced interest rate

Competent authority

‘Dienst Regelingen’ and ‘Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland - NL Milieu en Leefomgeving’

Distribution of costs

State

The State receives less income from capital and income tax.

Netherlands

Further information

  • Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat - Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
  • +31 703 798 911
  • Ministry website
  • Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) - Netherlands Enterprise Agency
  • +31 88 042 42 42
  • Agency's website
  • Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat – Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
  • +31 704 560 000
  • Ministry website

Basic information on legal sources