Make your office energy efficient by 2023

From 2023, every office in the Netherlands larger than 100m² is required to have at least energy label C. This applies to existing buildings. Making your building energy efficient with solar panels, for example, ensures lower energy costs. The government supports you with advice and subsidies.

Check your energy label

Check your energy label to see if you meet the new standard. If your building is labelled A, B or C, it meets the requirements. If your energy label is D or lower, you may no longer use the building as an office from 1 January 2023. Check your label now, so that you can take measures in time. If your building has an energy label C, your building uses no more than 225 kWh per m² per year in fossil fuels and has an Energy Index of 1.3 or better.

As of January 1, 2021, all new buildings must meet the requirements for Almost Energy Neutral Buildings (Bijna Energieneutrale Gebouwen, BENG).

Tip: Use the Energy Saving Explorer

The Energy Saving Explorer (in Dutch) is a tool built by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO to get an indication of:

your office building’s current and its highest possible energy label
the investment costs
the annual savings on energy costs and the payback period
the environmental impact, expressed in CO2 reduction per m²

Call in a recognised energy advisor

If your office has an energy label in the D to G range, it can sometimes achieve the C label without major renovation work. Ask for advice from a recognised energy advisor (in Dutch). The consultant checks the building and proposes improvements. After some simple adjustments, your building may receive the A or B energy label.

Improve the energy performance of your building

Request an energy performance advice (EPA). With this tailor-made advice you can take structural and installation-technical measures to improve the energy performance of your building. That gives you a lower energy bill, less environmental impact and a healthier indoor climate. An EPA is prepared by a certified EPA advisor (in Dutch).

Take advantage of financial arrangements

The government supports entrepreneurs in taking energy-saving measures. There are various financial and tax arrangements available. For example:

the Energy Investment Allowance (EIA) offers a tax benefit when you invest in energy-efficient techniques and sustainable energy;
the Investment subsidy for sustainable energy (ISDE) offers a contribution towards the purchase of energy-saving devices;
the Green Projects Scheme. For example: realising sustainable housing with a green declaration for sustainable construction;
There are other financial and fiscal arrangements for sustainable energy supplies. Check them in the energy subsidy guide for buildings (in Dutch).

Research the possibilities of geothermal energy

Are you thinking of heating or cooling your building with earth heat or geothermal energy? The government stimulates this form of sustainable energy with tax benefits and subsidies. Find out if these alternative energy sources (in Dutch) are for you.

Be inspired by other entrepreneurs

Read how other entrepreneurs (in Dutch) have implemented energy-saving measures in their company with the help of the government. Also read how business parks are tackling the energy transition (in Dutch) through energy savings, among other things.

Exceptions

Not every office building needs to meet the new standard. The obligation does not apply if:

the usable area of the office functions is less than 50% of the total usable area of the building;
the usable area of the office functions in the building is less than 100 m²;
it concerns national monuments as referred to in Article 1.1 of the Heritage Act or in the provincial or municipal monument ordinance;
the office building will be used for a maximum of two years;
the office building has been disowned or purchased under the Expropriation Act;
the office building does not use energy to regulate the indoor climate;
the measures required to achieve energy label C have a payback period of more than ten years.

More information?

Contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency for more information or read their article Informatieplicht energiebesparing (in Dutch). Or find information here: