Green Forum • 19 March, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The European Commission has approved a €960 million Czech scheme to support investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition to a net-zero economy.
The scheme contributes to the achievement of the priorities of the European Commission for 2024-2029, based on the Political Guidelines, which call for investments in clean energy and technologies.
The scheme also contributes to the achievement of the Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF') adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.
Czechia notified to the Commission, under the TCTF, a €960 million scheme to support investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy.
The purpose of the scheme is to support investments for the production of strategic equipment (namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers and 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.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to undertakings of all sizes.
The Commission found that the Czech scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the TCTF. In particular, the aid (i) will respect the maximum aid ceilings; (ii) will incentivise the production of relevant equipment for the transition to a climate neutral economy; and (iii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2025.
The Commission concluded that the Czech scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, in line with Article 107(3)(c) Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the conditions set out in the TCTF.