Greenhouse horticulture currently enjoys a reduced rate for the Dutch energy charge on natural gas. If the sector were subject to the general tariff it would have a higher energy-tax burden than energy-intensive industries, owing to a combination of energy-intensity, small-scale business structure and the degressive tariff structure of the energy charge.
This report confirms that the lower tariff enjoyed by greenhouse horticulture still helps meet the objective for which it was designed. Abolishing the reduced tariff would have substantial cost and income impacts on small businesses with no cogeneration plant. These businesses account for less than 10% of total natural gas consumption. The report also explores greening of energy consumption in relation to the energy charge, alternative tariff structures for this charge and an incentive fund for greener energy.