Commission approves €1 billion Portuguese State aid scheme to support investments in strategic sectors necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy

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The European Commission has approved a €1 billion Portuguese 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 (‘TCTF’), adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.

The Portuguese measure

Portugal notified to the Commission, under the TCTF, a €1 billion scheme to support investments for the production of relevant equipment necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy.

Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants. 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.

The Commission found that the Portuguese scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the TCTF. In particular, the aid (i) will incentivise the production of relevant equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2025.

The Commission concluded that the Portuguese 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 Green Deal Industrial Plan, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the TCTF.

On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU State aid rules.

Background

On 9 March 2023, the Commission adopted the TCTF to foster support measures in sectors which are key for the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

The TCTF provides for the following types of aid, which can be granted by Member States until 31 December 2025 in order to accelerate the green transition:

• Measures accelerating the rollout of renewable energy (section 2.5). Member States can set up schemes for investments in all renewable energy sources, with simplified tender procedures.
• Measures facilitating the decarbonisation of industrial processes (section 2.6). Member States can support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial activities with a view to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, in particular through electrification, energy efficiency and the switch to the use of renewable and electricity-based hydrogen which complies with certain conditions, with expanded possibilities to support the decarbonisation of industrial processes switching to hydrogen-derived fuels.
• Measures to further accelerate investments in key sectors for the transition towards a net-zero economy (section 2.8). Member States can grant investment support for the manufacturing of strategic equipment (namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers and carbon capture usage and storage), as well as for production of key components and for production and recycling of related critical raw materials. Support is capped at a certain percentage of the investment costs up to specific amounts, depending on the location of the investment and the size of the beneficiary. Higher support is possible for small and medium-sized companies, as well as companies located in disadvantaged regions to ensure that cohesion objectives are duly taken into account. Furthermore, in exceptional cases, Member States may provide higher support to individual companies, where there is a real risk of investments being diverted away from Europe, subject to a number of safeguards.

More information on the TCTF can be found here.

The non-confidential version of today’s decision will be made available under the case number SA.113456 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.

Quote(s)

This €1 billion Portuguese measure supports investments in strategic equipment to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy. This includes batteries, solar panels, heat-pumps, wind turbines, electrolysers and carbon-capture usage and storage. This is in line with the objectives of the Green Deal Industrial Plan and the EU’s climate neutrality target, whilst ensuring that competition distortions remain limited.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy