Netherlands energy policy: Tax proposals and housing corporation concerns

Dutch housing corporations, including Stadlander, Eigen Haard, and Portaal, are calling for compensation following proposed reductions in Energy Performance Allowance (EPV) rates. The proposed cuts, ranging from 24 to over 54 percent, follow the planned abolition of the net metering scheme for solar panels on January 1, 2027. Corporations argue this shifts the financial burden of energy-efficient investments almost entirely onto landlords, threatening the viability of zero-on-the-meter housing.

Separately, the Consumentenbond has proposed a restructuring of energy taxes to benefit households. Based on research by Berenschot, the organization suggests lowering electricity taxes for households to near-zero levels, similar to the Danish model. This would be funded by increasing gas taxes for large consumers (those using over 1000m³), ensuring the policy remains cost-neutral for the government while making sustainable energy more attractive for residents.

In the consumer market, various tools and products are being highlighted to manage energy costs, including home battery systems like Zendure SolarFlow and mobile applications designed to track dynamic energy prices to help users optimize consumption during cheaper hours.