NextGenerationEU: Council gives go-ahead to national plan of the Netherlands
Economy and finance ministers welcomed the positive assessment of the national recovery and resilience plan of the Netherlands by the European Commission. The Council adopted its implementing decision on the approval of this plan today.
The Council’s decision follows the European Commission’s assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans. These plans have to comply with the 2019 and 2020 country-specific recommendations and reflect the EU’s general objectives of creating a greener, more digital and more competitive economy. The Dutch plan also addresses some of the 2022 country-specific recommendations that were adopted by the Council in July 2022.
Following the formal adoption of the decision, the Netherlands will be able to use the facility’s funds up to a total allocation of € 4.7 billion in grants. This financing will enable the Netherlands to foster its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and finance the green and digital transitions.
I am very pleased that we decided to support the Netherlands’ recovery plan today. The financing of € 4.7 billion comes at the right moment for them, as it will further strengthen the Dutch economy, making it more resilient in the current energy crisis.
Zbyněk Stanjura, Minister of Finance of Czechia
The Netherlands’ plan
The Dutch plan devotes 48% of its total allocation on measures that support climate objectives including investments that are expected to make a significant contribution to decarbonisation.
It includes investments and reforms to speed up the deployment of renewable energy sources, investments in sustainable mobility and nature restoration. Several measures in this area also contribute to the REPowerEU objectives to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition, as well as to the relevant 2022 country-specific recommendation on energy. These include investments in offshore wind and energy efficiency in housing, as well as a new Energy Law, which is expected to facilitate investments in the electricity grid and to allow consumers to sell self-produced renewable energy.
The Netherlands’ plan devotes 26% of its total allocation on measures that support the digital transition. This includes investments in quantum technology, artificial intelligence, digital education and digital government. The plan also covers information management reforms to create an open and transparent public administration.
Next steps
The Commission will disburse once the member state reaches the milestones and targets set for investments and reforms in the recovery and resilience plan.
Background
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is part of NextGenerationEU, the EU’s coordinated response to the challenges the pandemic has posed to the European economy and to prepare it for the green and digital transitions. It will provide up to €672.5 billion to support the reforms and investments outlined in the member states’ recovery and resilience plans.
- Council Implementing Decision
- NextGenerationEU: ministers approve the assessment of Poland’s national plan by the European Commission (press release, 17 June 2022)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of national plans for Bulgaria and Sweden (press release, 3 May 2022)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of Estonia’s, Finland’s and Romania’s plans (press release, 28 October 2021)
- Council gives go-ahead to Malta’s recovery plan (press release, 5 October 2021)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of Czechia’s and Ireland’s plans (press release, 6 September 2021)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of four more national plans (press release, 26 July 2021)
- Council gives green light to first recovery disbursements (press release, 13 July 2021)
- A recovery plan for Europe (background information)
- The Recovery and Resilience Facility (European Commission)