Commission approves Dutch energy efficiency aid

The aim of the programme is to stimulate energy saving equipment. Aid will be granted for the purchase of energy saving equipment as capital equipment, which must be installed in the Netherlands. The scheme intends to provide a tax incentive for energy saving and the introduction of sustainable energy in Dutch industry liable to corporation tax.

Beneficiaries under the scheme are : institutions, religious communities and associations not leading a business, legal entities under public law, but not the State, like communes, provinces, associations of entrepreneurs carrying out non-profit oriented activities, water utilities in the hands of local public authorities, Schiphol Airport N.V., natural persons purchasing a wind turbine for electricity generation.

The scheme is of unlimited duration. The annual budget for 1998 will amount to NLG 25 million for equipment and NLG 12.5 million for aid to persons purchasing a wind turbine.