The Temporary Energy Fund, which aided tens of thousands of low-income households with high energy costs, has been discontinued for 2025. The government, energy suppliers, banks, municipalities, and social organizations failed to agree on financing, according to a parliamentary letter.
Secretary of State Jurgen Nobel stated that insufficient additional funding was pledged to meet the necessary “legal and financial requirements” for collaboration between the government and private companies, as was the case in 2023 and 2024. Due to the war in Ukraine, energy prices surged in recent years, prompting low-income households to apply for additional assistance from the fund.
Eligibility was limited to individuals earning up to 3,200 euros monthly and cohabitants earning up to 4,480 euros, with a minimum of eight to ten percent of income spent on energy costs. The fund covered a portion of energy bills, with an average of 97 euros per month provided for six months.
Energy suppliers expressed disappointment over the fund’s termination, stating it leaves low-income households without aid in 2025. Supplier Essent criticized the government’s inability to transition the fund into a national energy fund, citing bureaucratic obstacles.
Essent also disputed the government’s account of financing willingness, claiming it misrepresented suppliers’ positions. The government reserved 60 million euros to support vulnerable households, focusing on sustainability for future cost reduction through the Social Climate Fund, available from 2026.
The Temporary Energy Fund expressed disappointment that the 60 million euros won’t continue the previous support.
Source: NOS