What are the subsidies available for energy-efficient industrial lighting?

For industrial companies, several subsidies and tax schemes are available in 2026 for energy-efficient lighting, including the Energy Investment Deduction (EIA), the ISDE, and sometimes the SDE++. Which scheme is best depends on your sector, investment size, and the type of lighting project. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about subsidies for industrial LED lighting.

What subsidy schemes are available for industrial LED lighting?

The three most relevant schemes for energy-efficient industrial lighting are the Energy Investment Deduction (EIA), the Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Savings (ISDE), and the SDE++ for larger energy-saving projects. For most industrial companies, the EIA is the most accessible and attractive option for investing in LED lighting.

EIA (Energy Investment Deduction): A tax scheme whereby you are allowed to deduct a percentage of the investment from your tax profits. This effectively reduces the tax burden and therefore the net investment costs.
ISDE (Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Saving): Targeted at business users who invest in energy-saving equipment. Industrial LED luminaires may fall under this category if they meet the technical requirements.
SDE++ (Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition): More focused on large-scale energy savings and production. Lighting plays a smaller role in this, but can be part of a broader energy savings program.
Subsidies from provinces and municipalities: Depending on your region, additional schemes are available, for example through the Regional Investment Fund or local energy programs.

For most industrial companies, the EIA is the starting point. You can use the Energy investment allowance a significant portion of your lighting investment will be tax-deductible, provided that the fixtures are on the RVO Energy List.

How much subsidy can you get for an LED lighting project?

The benefit through the EIA generally amounts to a percentage of the eligible investment in 2026 that you can deduct from your taxable profit. The exact percentage is determined annually by the government. For larger projects, this can amount to tens of thousands of euros in tax benefits, depending on the investment size and your tax situation.

For illustration: with an investment of 100,000 euros in qualifying LED lighting and an EIA tax deduction rate of 40%, you can deduct an additional 40,000 euros from your profit. At a corporate tax rate of 25%, that yields a net tax savings of 10,000 euros. Combine this with the energy savings on your electricity bill, and the payback time can be significantly shortened.

Through the ISDE, it is a direct subsidy per unit of installed capacity or per investment in approved equipment. The amount varies by category and is periodically adjusted by RVO.

What conditions must industrial lighting meet in order to receive subsidies?

To be eligible for the EIA, the lighting solution must be listed on the RVO Energy List. This means that the fixtures must meet specific energy efficiency criteria, such as a minimum light output per watt (lm/W). Not every LED product qualifies automatically; the technical specifications are decisive.

In practice, as a company you must meet the following basic requirements:

You are an entrepreneur in the Netherlands and pay income tax or corporate tax.
The investment concerns new business assets that are listed on the Energy List.
You must report the investment to RVO within three months of entering into the obligation.
This is a business investment, not about lighting in a home or private space.
The minimum investment threshold per notification has been set by RVO (check the current threshold on the RVO website).

For the ISDE, similar requirements apply regarding the technical specifications of the equipment. Make sure that your supplier can provide the correct documentation, because without the correct product certificates and technical data, an application will quickly be rejected.

How do you apply for funding for an lighting project?

The application procedure for the EIA is carried out via the RVO online portal. It is important to submit the notification. before The investment is fully completed, but only after the contract or offer has been signed. Anyone who misses this moment loses the right to claim a deduction.

A global approach looks like this: first determine whether your investment is on the Energy List, request a detailed quote from your lighting supplier, promptly report the investment to RVO via eHerkenning, and then process the EIA in your annual tax return via the income tax or corporate tax return.

For more complex projects or combinations of schemes, it is advisable to engage a subsidy advisor or fiscalist. They are familiar with the current conditions and can help to achieve the maximum benefit without errors in the procedure. Some lighting suppliers also offer guidance during the subsidy process, which saves a lot of administrative work.

Can you combine subsidies with other forms of funding?

Yes, in many cases combining is possible and even smart. The EIA is a tax deduction item and not a direct subsidy, which means that it can in principle be combined with other financing methods such as a green loan, leasing, or operational finance. However, anti-cumulation rules apply to direct subsidies such as the ISDE: combining with other subsidies on the same asset is limited or not allowed.

A commonly used approach in the industry is to finance the investment through a green loan or lease structure, while the EIA provides the tax benefit and the energy savings offset the monthly financing costs. In this way, you do not have to pay the entire investment amount immediately from your own resources.

Always consult an advisor to check whether your specific combination of schemes is permitted. The rules can change from year to year and depend on the specific subsidy conditions.

What does energy-efficient industrial lighting deliver in addition to subsidies?

In addition to subsidies and tax benefits, a switch to high-quality LED lighting provides structural operational benefits. The most immediate benefit is energy savings: modern industrial LED fixtures consume 50 to 70 percent less energy than traditional solutions such as HID or TL lighting. With 24/7 operations and large illuminated surfaces, this can quickly lead to significant savings per year.

Other benefits that you see in practice:

Less maintenance: High-quality LED fixtures have a much longer lifespan, which reduces replacement and maintenance costs. This is especially advantageous in hard-to-reach locations such as cranes, high-altitude halls, or outdoor fields.
Better working conditions: Well-designed lighting with the right light color and distribution increases visibility, reduces fatigue, and contributes to safety in the workplace.
CO2 reduction: Lower energy consumption means a lower carbon footprint, which contributes to sustainability goals and reporting obligations.
Reliability in extreme environments: Qualitative industrial LED luminaires are designed for high and low temperatures, dust, moisture and vibrations, which reduces downtime and downtime.

Practical example: P&O Ferries Europoort

P&O Ferries converted the terminal in Europoort in 2021 to LED lighting with fixtures from a well-known A-brand from the sports lighting market, but these did not meet the requirements in the port. JEL Products took on the retrofit project in its entirety: light design and engineering, new mast structures, installation and maintenance. The terminal is equipped with 119 DarkLicht DL1 fixtures on 30 26-meter masts. The installation achieves 42 lux with a uniformity of 0.40 to 0.55 and delivers approximately 66% energy savings compared to the previously installed LED lighting. The project was completed in 2 weeks.

Energy savings are therefore not only found in the transition from traditional lamps to LED. The difference between LED solutions can also be significant, due to better bundling, less stray light, and a design that keeps the light where it is needed. Therefore, for a subsidy or tax application, it makes sense to substantiate the savings with a lighting design instead of relying on a general percentage. A well-supported savings strengthens the business case, with or without the scheme.

How JEL Products helps with subsidies for industrial lighting

JEL Products not only supports industrial organizations with the right lighting solution, but also with the entire process involved. That starts with the lighting design and ends with the delivery and commissioning, including the documentation you need for a grant application.

Technical advice on which luminaires are eligible for the EIA
Detailed product specifications and certificates required for the RVO application
Support in the subsidy process from application to completion
Lighting calculations and designs that demonstrate that the investment meets the stated requirements
Lightings designed for extreme environments, with long lifespan and low maintenance requirements
ISO 9001 and VCA** certified process for reliable project execution

Whether it’s an outdoor area, a production hall or an environment with extreme temperatures: JEL Products works with you to consider the technical and financial aspects of your lighting project. Feel free to contact us. contact us to discuss the options available for your situation.

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