Quick Takeaways
You don't choose to install a windmill simply because a subsidy exists.
Your energy use, location, wind conditions, permit options, and long-term plans matter far more than any form on a government website.
But once the project starts to look like a real option, it's worth understanding what support is available.
These are some of the questions farm owners regularly ask us:
If you're looking for answers to those questions, you're in the right place. This guide explains what matters, what to watch out for, and when to take action.
We’ll look at the main subsidy options for farmers in the Netherlands, from the ISDE subsidy for small windmills to provincial support routes and subsidy options for larger wind turbine projects.
A small windmill refers to a small-scale wind turbine installed on your own business site, which generates electricity for your farm or rural business.
In the Netherlands, the EAZ model from Ecoways is a well-known example of a small windmill. It is widely used by agricultural businesses, but is also suitable for other business locations. With a mast height of around 15 meters, it fits naturally into any farmyard setting and is designed to generate electricity close to where it is used.
Its output depends on the location and wind conditions, but for many farms and businesses it can help cover part of the on-site energy demand throughout the year, especially in the darker and windier months.
>>> Want to know more about the benefits? Read our in-depth guide on small windmills for agricultural businesses here
Small wind turbines have been eligible for subsidies for many years. That long-term support reflects the role they can play in helping farms generate more of their own renewable energy.
So let’s get straight into the types of subsidies you may qualify for. In the Netherlands, there are three common routes:
Short for Investeringssubsidie duurzame energie en energiebesparing, the ISDE subsidy is the most relevant national subsidy for many small windmill projects.
As an investment subsidy, it helps reduce the purchase cost of the wind turbine.
It’s the best fit for:
The Small-Scale Investment Deduction (KIA) is a tax deduction. It allows businesses to deduct part of their investment from their taxable profit, reducing the amount of tax they pay in the year they purchase the wind turbine.
The KIA can usually be combined with the ISDE, helping eligible businesses reduce the overall cost of investing in a small windmill.
The KIA is particularly relevant if your business is investing in assets such as a small wind turbine during the current tax year. Whether you qualify, and how much you can deduct, depends on your total investments for the year and the tax rules that apply to your business.
Some provinces also offer subsidy schemes for agricultural businesses. These can differ by province, application period, and project type.
Examples of options that may be worth checking include:
>>> Want to know more about financing options in Groningen? Read how Fonds Nieuwe Doen can help make investing in a small windmill more accessible.
These schemes are usually more complex than the ISDE, with short application windows, specific conditions, and - in some cases - the need for a permit application or detailed project information before you can apply.
Good to know: These schemes shouldn’t be treated as a given for every small windmill project. Usually, the farmer submits the application themselves, while Ecoways can support with the technical documents or project information needed.
The SDE++ may be an option for larger installations, heavier grid connections, or expected energy generation that falls outside the small wind turbine category.
Good to know: For an EAZ windmill on a farm, the ISDE will often be the most practical starting point. For a WES turbine or a high-demand business site, it makes sense to look beyond ISDE and check which subsidy structure fits the project as a whole.
The ISDE is relatively straightforward compared to many other subsidy schemes, but there’s one point we mention to all farmers considering small windmills: timing matters.
You need to apply for the subsidy before you approve the quote from your supplier or installer. If you sign first and apply later, you may no longer be eligible.
For a small wind turbine, the main ISDE conditions are:
Small wind turbines do not have a “meldcodelijst” (notification code list) under the ISDE. In the case of small wind turbines, you must instead demonstrate eligibility with technical documentation that confirms the rotor surface area.
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A quick explanation For some products, such as heat pumps or solar systems, RVO uses a list of approved product codes. Applicants can use this code to show the product meets the subsidy requirements. For small wind turbines, this doesn’t apply. Instead, you need technical documentation that proves the turbine meets the conditions listed above, including the rotor surface area, grid connection, and installation location. |
For many Ecoways customers, part of the required documentation is already covered during the normal project process.
The EAZ model is designed to fit within the ISDE framework for small wind turbines, including the minimum rotor surface area requirement. Ecoways also has the technical information needed to demonstrate this as part of the application.
That includes technical turbine information, permit-related documents, and delivery documentation.
In many cases, we can handle all of the ISDE application process on your behalf. We treat it as part of the wider project from the start, rather than a separate administrative task.
From 2025, the ISDE subsidy for small wind turbines is €140 per m² of rotor surface area. According to RVO, this comes down to roughly 20% of the average investment cost.
Based on our experience, the ISDE can amount to around €19,000 for an EAZ-model windmill. The exact amount is calculated using the rotor surface area, so the figure may differ for other small wind turbine models.
The scheme is available until December 31, 2027, with a separate budget of €5 million for business users investing in wind turbines. We haven’t seen this budget run out in practice, and small windmill applications have remained relatively limited in recent years.
But it’s still worth checking your eligibility early so the subsidy can be included at the right point in the process.
Every subsidy scheme has its own requirements, but for most small windmill projects, the ISDE follows a fairly predictable path.
Use this checklist as a starting point.
Subsidies, permits, and applications can quickly become overwhelming. The good news is that you don't have to navigate the process on your own.
For many projects, Ecoways can guide you through much of the subsidy application or even handle large parts of it on your behalf. We help identify which schemes may be relevant, gather the required technical documentation, monitor the progress of the application, and - with your permission - can even submit much of the application for you.
That way, the subsidy process becomes a natural part of the wider project, rather than a separate administrative task.
Before you do anything else, confirm that your project meets the main ISDE conditions.
At a minimum, you'll want to check that:
You can check the official conditions on the RVO page for ISDE subsidy for business users. This is where RVO explains who can apply, which technical conditions apply, and what documentation is needed.
A small windmill will usually require approval from your municipality. The exact process depends on your location and local regulations.
At this stage, you’ll want to check:
You can start by checking the Omgevingsloket or your municipality’s website. These are the main places to find out which permits may apply to your location.
This is the most important step to get right.
For the ISDE, the subsidy application must be submitted before you approve the quote from your supplier or installer. If you sign first and apply later, you may no longer be eligible for support.
Before submitting the application, make sure you have the key information ready to go, such as:
Once everything is ready, you can submit the application through Mijn RVO.
RVO reviews the application and determines whether the project qualifies for support.
For the ISDE, RVO usually assesses the application within eight weeks. If the application is approved, you receive a subsidy decision. This confirms that support has been reserved for the project, provided the wind turbine is installed and the final settlement is completed correctly.
At this stage, you’ll want to check your application to find out:
Once the subsidy application has been approved, you can move forward with confidence and formally approve the supplier or installer quote.
At this stage, you'll want to:
This is also a good moment to make sure everyone involved is working from the same project plan and timeline.
Once the quote has been approved and all preparations are complete, the wind turbine can be installed and commissioned.
The exact timeline depends on the project, location, and permit requirements, but this is where the planning work starts turning into a working energy system.
At this stage, you'll want to:
After the wind turbine has been installed, the project must be formally settled with RVO.
This is the stage where you demonstrate that the project was completed according to the approved subsidy application.
At this stage, you'll typically need:
Once the settlement has been approved, the subsidy can be paid out.
Once RVO has approved the final settlement, the subsidy is paid out.
At this point, the formal subsidy process is complete and the focus shifts to the long-term performance of the wind turbine itself.
Before closing the project, it is worth confirming:
For the ISDE, RVO usually assesses the application within eight weeks. After approval, the windmill still needs to be installed and the subsidy must be formally settled before it is paid out.
That makes the subsidy process itself relatively manageable. But the real timeline usually depends on things like permits, municipal procedures, installation planning, and getting the right documents in place.
Good to know: For Ecoways, this is part of the normal project discussion. We look at the likely subsidy route alongside the turbine, location, permit situation, and business case, so you know what still needs to happen before the project can get started.
Here are a few official sources worth bookmarking if you're researching subsidies for a small windmill:
For many business users, the main national subsidy for a small windmill is the ISDE: Investeringssubsidie duurzame energie en energiebesparing. This subsidy helps reduce the purchase cost of a small-scale wind turbine.
From 2025, the ISDE subsidy for small wind turbines is €140 per m² of rotor surface area. For an EAZ windmill, this can amount to around €19,000. For other small wind turbine models, the exact amount depends on the rotor surface area.
In many cases, yes. If your business and turbine meet the ISDE conditions, an EAZ windmill can qualify for the ISDE subsidy. The exact amount depends on the conditions that apply at the time of application.
Sometimes this may be possible, but it depends on the provincial scheme and the rules around combining subsidies. Provincial subsidies also vary by location and application period, so this needs to be checked for each project.
Yes. For the ISDE, you must apply before approving the quote from your supplier or installer. This is one of the most important steps in the process.
A small windmill is a long-term investment. Qualifying for a subsidy won't determine whether the project makes sense, but it can make the next step easier to take.
Get the timing wrong, and you may miss out on support that changes the numbers significantly. So don't leave it as an afterthought.
Before you commit to anything, speak to the Ecoways team. We’ll map out which subsidies apply to your farm and how they fit your location, energy goals, and budget.
A clearer picture of the subsidies often leads to a clearer picture of the investment itself.