Brussels, 8 September 2023
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €132 million scheme to support energy saving in glasshouse horticulture.
The aim of the scheme is to support companies engaged in glasshouse horticulture in the construction of new net-energy-neutral glasshouses, as well as in the upgrading of existing glasshouses to make them more energy-efficient.
Under the scheme, which will run until 1 January 2027, the aid will take the form of direct grants, covering up to 20% of the eligible costs. The scheme will be open to companies of all sizes in the agriculture sector.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2023 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support and strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity and climate action, and to contribute to achieving the EU’s environmental and climate-related objectives, and the goals set in the European Green Deal. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Dutch scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.106646 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission