Netherlands Tariffs

The Netherlands has a current FiT rate ranging from US$476 - 517/kWh and is working towards improving renewable energy source uptake, similarly to its surrounding European countries.Under the MEP scheme, Dutch producers of renewable electricity feeding into the public grid receive a fixed fee /kWh for a guaranteed period of ten years.

The 'MEP-premium' was later abolished in 2006 when the previous Minister for Economic Affairs judged that the EU-approved target for the Netherlands of 9% renewable power consumed by 2010 would be met. Since then, investments in new renewable energy installations have fallen down to practically zero.

It wasn't until 2007 that the Dutch government published a new regulation for a feed-in premium for renewable energy. The new support mechanism, called SDE ('Stimuleringsregeling duurzame energieproductie'), which stands for "Renewable Energy Incentive" resembles the old MEP premium system.

Producers will get a premium covering extra costs on top of the wholesale energy price for a number of years. The premium will be provided to the generator of green power for maximum ten years. The level of the premium and the duration of support will vary with each technology. However, the premiums will also vary with the wholesale price of electricity.

For the new SDE regulation (Subsidies Duurzame Energie), which stands for "Renewable Energy Grants", a fund of US$405 to US$472 million per year will be available by 2011. In contrast to the old scheme, the new one comprises an upper limit. In the first year, the premiums will be distributed on a 'first come, first go' basis.

Source: European Renewable Energy Council

In 2007 the Dutch environment minister presented a working program known as "New Energy for the Climate." This program aims for higher levels of energy efficiency and a yearly improvement of up to 20% by the year 2020.

Later, in 2003 the premium tariff was introduced; this was labeled the MEP premium, which stands for the premium on top of the market price for power. This rate will be fixed for a period of 10 years.