The energy saving obligation for companies is being expanded. Minister Wiebes of Economic Affairs and Climate announced this in a letter to parliament. The law will be expanded with additional measures in the field of CO2 reduction, which has been agreed in the climate agreement.
It is not yet known which CO2 reducing measures companies should take. However, it is stated that the payback period is a maximum of 5 years. The intention is to introduce the broadened law on 1 January 2023. The impact of this on agricultural companies appears to be limited for the time being.
Little will change for large consumers in the agricultural sector or agribusiness who use more than 50.000 kWh of electricity or 25.000 m³ of natural gas (equivalent) per year and who already fall under the energy-saving obligation. The recognized list of measures for the agricultural sector, the payback period and associated calculation method, the obligation to provide information and the lower limit of the target group remain the same.
Company-specific environmental permit
Approximately 14.000 simple companies with an environmental permit requiring a permit also have an exceptional position. Some (large) agricultural companies fall into this category. Until now, energy saving for their company has been regulated in the company-specific environmental permit. In the future, they will come under the extended energy-saving obligation. However, the necessary savings measures have already been taken at many of these companies.
In the coming period, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will further elaborate the measures to be taken together with the business community and local authorities.
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