To help large consumers use their electricity consumption more flexibly and thus reduce the impact of grid congestion during consumption, the Ministerial Scheme for Flexible Electricity Consumption (Flex-e) has been developed.

The scheme has the specific objective of increasing the available flexible capacity of large consumers so that the impact of grid congestion during consumption is reduced in areas where grid congestion is present. This flexible capacity can be used for congestion management or to support the growth and sustainability of large consumers in congested areas.

To achieve this, the subsidy scheme has been set up with the following components:

• Insight into the energy profile: Obtaining a clear view of current and future energy consumption.
• Insight into flexibility: Identifying which flexibility companies and institutions can create and how this can be technically realized.
• Financial support: Providing a subsidy to realize the required flexibility.
• Application of flexibility: Clarifying how companies and institutions can effectively use their flexible capacity.

The benefits and subsidy amount

• A flexibility scan: 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €10,000.
• A feasibility study for flexibility measures: 50% of eligible costs from a minimum of €10,000 up to a maximum of €125,000.
• Implementation of flexibility measures: 35% of eligible costs from a minimum of €25,000 up to a maximum of €300,000.

Important conditions

This subsidy has the following four components with their associated subsidies and conditions:

• Flexibility scan: only the costs of the flexibility scan are eligible for subsidy. In this case, only the costs of an external advisor who performs the scan and prepares the report.
• Feasibility study: only the costs of the feasibility study are eligible for subsidy. In this case, only the costs of an external advisor who performs the study and prepares the report.
• Implementation of flexibility measures: only costs for the purchase and installation of the measures are eligible.
• Exclusions: costs for the applicant’s own staff and regular operating costs, such as management and maintenance costs, are not eligible for subsidy.

 
An applicant must complete the flexibility scan or feasibility study within 1 year after the subsidy is granted.
A flexibility measure must be installed and operational within 1.5 years after subsidy approval.

The scheme opens on April 1, 2025.

Applying for the subsidy?

Would you like to know if Flex-e offers possibilities for you? Our specialists are happy to inform and guide you. Feel free to contact us or try the subsidy scan in advance.