Energy Fund

For many businesses and organisations, the energy bill is a significant cost. Is this the case for you too, and would you like to do something about it? Reducing your energy consumption, or generating your own renewable energy, will lower your energy bill and is also good for the planet. However, you’ll often need to invest in energy-saving measures first before you start saving money.

These include solar panels, a heat pump system, LED lighting, building insulation or energy-efficient appliances. For many organisations, this investment represents a major hurdle, and banks often turn a deaf ear when you approach them for a loan. The Energy Fund can then offer you a loan to lower this hurdle and thereby make the desired investment possible.

• The applicant is a company, institution or organisation. Examples of organisations include a sports club, a church or a homeowners’ association (VvE).
• The investing institution is registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
• A detailed business plan is in place, with a view to implementation within two years (for loans in excess of €50,000).
• There is a quote on the table with a view to completion within 6 months (for loans of up to €50,000)
• The project demonstrably contributes to the energy transition in Apeldoorn.
• The project will not go ahead without funding from the energy fund.
• The loan amount is capped at 50% of the total investment sum, or 75% for a loan of up to €25,000.

Three different types of loan can be applied for from the Energy Fund: a small-scale loan for businesses and organisations (up to a maximum of €50,000), a loan for implementation projects by organisations (up to a maximum of €300,000) and a loan for development projects by organisations (up to a maximum of €100,000). Development projects include site surveys, technical designs, planning applications and tax or legal advice. Each loan has a different maximum term and interest rate, as shown in the table below. The agreed interest rate remains unchanged for the duration of the loan.

Early repayments may be made free of charge each year. Small-scale loans and loans for project implementation are annuity loans, under which a fixed amount is paid monthly throughout the term to cover both interest and capital repayment. Loans for development projects are bullet loans, whereby the borrowed amount is repaid in a single lump sum at the end of the term. With bullet loans, only interest is paid each month, with no principal repayments.

Would you like to arrange an initial exploratory meeting? If so, please send an email to the fund manager at energiefonds@apeldoorn.nl including a brief description of the project for which you are seeking funding and the amount you wish to borrow. He will then arrange a meeting with you to discuss the options.

Or call the local council on 14 055 and ask to speak to the fund manager. Do you already have specific plans and a quote from an installation or construction company? If so, you can fill in the application form online straight away and apply for a loan.