EC amends temporary state aid framework to speed up renewables

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday announced an amendment to the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework to help accelerate the rollout of renewable energy and support industrial decarbonisation.

The framework was first adopted in March to back the economy against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The amendment is in line with the REPowerEU Plan and provides for two new measures. One of them allows member states to set up schemes for investments in renewable energy, including renewable hydrogen, biogas and biomethane, storage and renewable heat with simplified tender procedures.

The other measure supports the decarbonisation of industrial processes through electrification, energy efficiency and the shift to renewable and electricity-based hydrogen. It would allow member states to either set up new tender-based schemes, or directly support projects with certain limits on the share of public support per investment.

The change complements the Winter Preparedness Package, also released on Wednesday, whereby the Commission is asking member states to reduce gas demand by 15% between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!