The European Commission has approved two huge investment schemes - €900 million French State aid scheme and €1.1 billion Italian State aid scheme to support equipment necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
The French measure
France notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €900 million scheme to support the production of (i) heat and fuels from biomass, such as synthetic gas and biochar, for use in industrial processes, and (ii) liquid fuels from biomass and renewable hydrogen, for use in industrial processes and transport.
Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants, covering part of the eligible investment costs.
The measure will be open to new installations and projects that are significantly accelerated or scaled up. Projects will have to be completed and put in operation within 36 months from the granting of the aid.
The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Italian scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
The Italian measure
Italy notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €1.1 billion scheme to support investments for the production of relevant equipment, key components and critical raw materials necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy.
Under this measure, which will be partially funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (“RRF”), the aid will take the form of direct grants. The maximum aid amount per beneficiary will be €150 million, which can be increased to €200 million for beneficiaries located in regions eligible for aid under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU (so-called ‘c' areas) and €350 million for beneficiaries located in regions eligible for aid under Article 107(3)(a) TFEU (so-called ‘a' areas).
The measure will be open to companies producing relevant equipment, namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, equipment for carbon capture usage and storage, as well as key components designed and primarily used as direct input for the production of such equipment or related critical raw materials necessary for their production.
Details
- Publication date
- 10 June 2024