Update | Energy support for companies with high energy bills

The conditions for acquiring the energy support for the final quarter of 2022 proved to be too strict for many companies. Besides an extension to the first quarter of 2023, the conditions in this regard were also relaxed:

• Instead of a doubling, energy costs need to have risen by at least 50%;
• A negative gross profit (EBITDA) is no longer required, but rather a drop of at least 50%
  compared with the reference EBITDA;
• The total additional energy cost must amount to at least a 50% EBITDA decrease, with a cap at 35% of the reference EBITDA.

The conditions are still being assessed in comparison with 2021.

The additional conditions remained unchanged:

• Energy costs for 2021 amount to at least € 7,500 (excluding VAT); 
• The company does not pay out dividends from 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2023; 
• In the case of an NOSS employment of more than 10 people, the company does not set more than 35% of staff on temporary unemployment due to the energy crisis over the period from 1 October to 31 December 2022;
• The company observes the conditions of the energy-policy agreement if these correspond to its scope; 
• The company remains active in the Flemish Region for at least five years.

The support percentages and maximums per quarter remained unchanged. Depending on the type of company, the support percentage varies from 25% to 35%, and the support amount from € 500,000 to € 7.5 million. Whereas support for the final quarter of 2022 was limited to 80% of the operational loss, in 2023 this is limited to 70% of the reference EBITDA of 2021.

For a further explanation of the increased support measures for energy-intensive companies and companies in sectors specifically affected, we refer you to the previous article.

Applications for ‘energy support 2’ relating to the first quarter of 2023 are possible until midday on 30 June 2023.

Please contact one of our experts if you have any questions about this.