As part of "A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net Zero Age" to respond to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (see our alert), the European Commission (the "Commission") adopted on 9 March 2023 its Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures to support the economy following the aggression against Ukraine by Russia (the "TCTF").The text amends the Temporary Crisis Framework last amended on 28 October 2022 (see our blog).
These are the three most important things you need to know about the TCTF:
- To avoid that an investment would be located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), EU countries may support investments in the manufacturing of relevant equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy, such as batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS), as well as their key components and critical raw materials necessary for their production.They may even grant aid matching foreign subsidies to support those investments, provided that they are located in the poorer areas of the EU.
- EU countries' possibilities to grant aid for accelerating the rollout of renewable energy are extended to any renewable technologies, including hydropower, and no longer require a bidding process to select the aided projects that are considered as less mature.
- The TCTF is not a subsidy program, and it is up to EU Member States to provide public funding.
Aid to cover investment costs for the production of relevant equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy
Under general State aid rules, aid facilitating industrial production, cannot, in principle, be granted, except for initial investments in assisted areas (i.e.低人口密度或异常穷困区)和条件特殊与TCTF合作,欧盟成员国可提供援助投资生产相关设备,以向净零经济过渡(例如:电池板、太阳能板、风轮机、热泵、电解器、CCUS、关键组件和生产这类设备的关键原材料)允许提供以下帮助:
- 'ati-土地、建筑、工厂、机器、专利权),上限为1.5亿欧元允许上层向辅助区投资(20-35%最大2-3.5亿欧元取决于投资是在低人口密度区还是在异常贫困区进行)以赋税优待、贷款或担保形式援助(+5%)或小公司(+20%)和中型公司(+10%)。这种援助必须是非歧视性程序的一部分,可适用于满足条件的任何申请者。 Exceptively,“匹配”援助单题,除预定义程序外,为欧经区以外的等值投资提供“匹配”补贴,欧经区外包括欧盟成员国、挪威、列支敦士登和冰岛援助量不能超出资金缺口,即引导公司查找EEA投资所必备量投资必须完全定位于受助区或部分受助区,但涉及几个欧经区国家受益人必须承诺从环境排放角度使用最新生产技术并显示援助不产生反相联效果,例如因为项目可能位于欧经区较穷区。
没有援助不会在欧经区投资的风险必须证明以及在欧经区内投资不重新定位申请援助程序者还必须提供详细信息,特别是投资信息,包括投资对相关领域创造工作机会、研发活动等预期积极效果
Aid支付运营或投资成本以加速推广可再生能源
TTF扩展至2025年12月31日成员国可设计适用于满足条件的任何公司的国家援助方案,支持用可再生能源发电并存储能源可再生能源定义见s/eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02018L2001-2020607qid=16788953119新建或重放安装必须在36个月内完成并运行,离岸风技术除外。
面向公司自身目的)对太阳能光电电、风电发电投资的援助原则上必须通过竞价招标过程确定。这一过程应导致出价者请求最低支持以赢得补贴合同在所有其他情况下,援助也可以由授权机构行政确定。In any event, overcompensation must be avoided, and the aid amount may not exceed the total investment costs or, if set administratively, 45% of those costs.
Aid for renewable energy output could also be granted in the form of a two-way contract for difference of maximum 20 years, whereby the power producer is guaranteed a minimum remuneration for the electricity produced irrespective of market conditions (such as for instance negative electricity prices due to excessive renewable electricity supplies compared to demand) and the retrocession of revenues to the State where prices exceed a certain limit.
Similarly to investment aid, the amount of aid to support the production of electricity from solar photovoltaic, wind and hydropower is in principle determined after a competitive bidding process (except for small installations).In other cases, the strike price, which corresponds to the minimum remuneration, may be set administratively by the energy regulator to cover the net costs of the producers.
Impact on stakeholders in the Net-Zero Industry
Contrary to other jurisdictions, the TCTF does not create any overarching subsidy program, and each individual EU Member State remains competent to introduce State aid programs.
The TCTF is part of a larger initiative, and its use by EU countries may be incentivized by coming legislation, such as the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) proposed by the Commission on 16 March 2023.NZIA建议旨在实现气候和能源依赖目标测试设定了欧盟部署需求40%的基准,绿色过渡由位于欧盟的战略净零技术制造能力覆盖。
为能源多样化,欧盟还期望到2030年进口能源,如1,000万吨可再生氢Contrary to aid for relevant equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy, and similarly to the State aid rules that are generally applicable, aid to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy and energy storage may also be granted for imports in the EU (for a precedent see our alert).
Companies manufacturing equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy or investing in the production of energy from renewable sources or in energy storage may consider approaching EU Member States to seek the most adequate public funding for their investments or export projects.Covington可帮助你探索欧盟向净零经济过渡最新动态的复杂性和机遇。
The Regulation's market intervention is exceptional (albeit in response to an extraordinary geopolitical market disruption). It will have widespread positive and negative impacts for energy market sellers and buyers. These circumstances may provoke a range of disputes, transaction (re)structurings or additional compliance obligations that will require expert advice and understanding of the details of the Regulation.
Reduction in electricity consumption
EU Member States will endeavour to reach an overall 10% reduction in electricity consumption by all consumers. The benchmark against which that reduction will be measured is the average of gross electricity consumption in the corresponding months of the reference period, i.e.11月1日至前5年3月31日,自2017年开始此外,为降低零售价并增强供应安全,成员国有义务在峰值时将电耗减少5%(定义为日头批发电价预期最高日间时数!总电耗预期最高或可再生能源以外的源电总耗量预期最高)。自2022年12月1日至2023年3月31日适用这些措施。
参数中包括防止违反欧盟绿色目标的保障措施成员国只能为未按预期耗电提供经济补偿市场运营商除收入外所支付的财政补偿金额必须通过竞争过程确定。 非加气/硬煤电厂剩余收入Cap
确定这种上限水平,以免转移可再生能源投资是一项复杂工作。高压电价高于过去十年平均批发电价和当前能源平化成本相关发电技术。
UnlikeIberian半岛 < ahrfs='chrome-extension/feaidnbnibcpclefmkaj/https/ec.eu/competice/state_aid/cass1/20225/SA_102454_407781-00-C327-A344-3EC9A772C4AF_72_1.pdf>成员国必须使用封顶剩余收入支持终端电客。剩余拥塞收入来自跨区容量分配,由传输系统操作符累积正常市场环境下,相关TEO可自由决定是否使用欧盟 The Regulation also contains a provision to redistribute the surplus revenues between net importing and exporting countries, to ensure that all Member States have the resources needed to support their final customers. Retail price regulation of electricity The Regulation allows SMEs to benefit temporarily from State intervention in setting the retail electricity price. This provision foresees the possibility that the end price could even be set below cost, provided that such an intervention does not distort demand reduction and that suppliers are both compensated and not discriminated against. Since State intervention in electricity pricing is generally considered to create market distortions, it is normally only permitted in specific and limited circumstances – as set out in the Electricity Directive – through the entrustment of a Public Service Obligation (PSO).委判定当前状况满足这些条件,因此监管授权偏离欧盟 /p>理事会授权将这笔捐款的收益用于向最终能源客户提供财政支持-特别侧重于脆弱家庭和能源密集产业(后者必须使用支持投资于可再生能源、能效或其他去碳化技术)。 Covington将继续监控并更新当前危机背景下欧盟法律的最新动态。
The revised TEN-E Regulation 2022 continues to work towards developing better connected energy networks while updating the TEN-E framework to focus on the latest environmental targets and ensuring consistency with the climate neutrality objectives set out in the EU Green Deal.
Towards a better integrated and greener EU energy market
The TEN-E Regulation 2022 reallocates and identifies 11 priority corridors with the purpose of meeting objectives to (i) reduce carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and (ii) achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.优先通道侧重于更新基础设施类别,如近海电网通道和可再生和低碳气体,如氢解电机天然气基础设施和石油管道将不再有资格获得PCI状态TEN-E条例2022还确定了新的优先专题领域:(一) 采行配有IT技术(“智能电网”)电气网络;(二) 开发跨边界二氧化碳网络。
/p>能源基础设施项目proto侧重于推广绿色清洁能源的项目可获取PCI状态,如近海风能和可再生/低碳氢化注解氢或可混入其他气体(如天然气或生物甲烷)或自成一体的能源源TEN-E第2022号条例也鼓励智能电网和二氧化碳运输存储的PCIs 。补充地说,TEN-E第2022号条例将欧盟能源市场边界扩展至第三国,为所谓的互利项目引入新合作机制与PCIs相似,如果他们为欧盟总体能源和气候政策提供保障和去碳化服务,可选择它们。
欧盟委员会将每两年通过PCIs和PMIs清单(“EU链表”),第一批欧盟链表将在2023年11月30日前通过。
TEN-E规范2022还为欧盟链表中所有项目规定了新义务PCIs和PMI必须满足强制可持续性标准,并依照举例说,估计耗资8 000亿欧元提高近海可再生能源的摄取量,根据欧盟绿色交易目标,其中三分之二将用于相关电网基础设施。电力传输配电网单实现2030目标每年估计平均投资505亿欧元。
并举,帮助支付巨额费用,欧盟清单上的PCIs和PMIs可能有资格获得财政援助:
连接欧洲机制下Finance支持援救市场失效阻碍实现足够程度的环境保护或高效内部能源市场援助的适当性,即目标是否无法通过替代措施实现(充分)基于市场工具,如排放交易机制或偏差性小辅助工具(例如可偿还预付直接授标援助的相称性,即援助是否限为最小需求, 即实现援助量度目标所需净额外成本透明性援助,即或公诸于世(v) the avoidance of undue negative effects of the aid on competition and trade, considering the distortive effects on competitors that likewise operate on an environmentally-friendly basis, and it will (vi) weigh up the positive and negative effects of the aid, paying attention to the sustainability of the activity and in particular that it ‘does no significant harm' to environmental objectives.
These assessment criteria are further elaborated for each specific category of aid.
Categories of aid that can be assessed under the CEEAG
Most of the categories of environmental protection and energy measures falling in the scope of the previous EEAG are covered by the CEEAG in a much larger fashion.These categories relate to support:
- for the reduction and removal of greenhouse gas emissions including through support for renewable energy and energy efficiency;
- for the improvement of the energy and environmental performance of buildings;
- for resource efficiency in respect of which the CEEAG also cover the transition to a circular economy, beyond the mere waste management foreseen in the EEAG;
- reductions in taxes or parafiscal levies where these taxes or levies aim at sanctioning environmentally harmful behaviour but create such a competitive disadvantage that it would not have been feasible to introduce them in the first place without having foreseen reductions for certain companies;
- for district heating and cooling, including highly-efficient cogeneration;
- for the security of electricity supply, extending to storage or demand response, interconnection, as well as network congestion measures, the possibilities initially offered under the EEAG to support generation adequacy;
- reductions for energy-intensive users from electricity levies.前EEAG下,有可能削减旨在为可再生能源支持筹资的收费。With the CEEAG, possible reduction can apply to levies aimed at the broader goal of funding decarbonisation;
- for studies or consultancy services on matters relating to climate, environmental protection and energy, whereas the EEAG only covered environmental studies;
- for the remediation of environmental damage, which constitutes a larger possibility than the aid for the remediation of contaminated sites under the EEAG.
The CEEAG further extends the list of measures that can be aided to support:
- for clean mobility:
- for the acquisition and leasing of clean vehicles (used for air, road, rail, inland waterway and maritime transport) and clean mobile service equipment and for the retrofitting of vehicles and mobile service equipment;
- for the deployment of recharging or refuelling infrastructure for clean vehicles;
- for the prevention or the reduction of pollution other than from greenhouse gases;
- for the rehabilitation of natural habitats and ecosystems, the protection or restoration of biodiversity and the implementation of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation;
- reductions in taxes or parafiscal levies, to encourage undertakings to change or adapt their behaviour by engaging in more environmentally-friendly activities;
- for the closure of power plants using coal, peat or oil shale and of mining operations relating to coal, peat or oil shale extraction.
Whereas previously investment aid for large airports (more than 5 million passengers per year) could only be authorised in exceptional circumstances, such as relocation of an existing airport, aid for large airports would now be authorised also where the purpose of the aid is to improve environmental protection.
Nuclear energy remains outside the scope of the CEEAG, because it relates to limited but very large projects, subject to the EURATOM Treaty.核电援助直接依据条约条款评估 。
Covington团队将继续监控开发并随时更新
The European Commission seeks stakeholders' feedback until 18 November on its proposal to define cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy generation that would be eligible to receive EU funding under Connecting European Facility instrument.
In July 2021, the European Union adopted its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program for the period 2021-2027 worth EUR 33.71 billion to fund the development of high-performing infrastructures in the transport, energy and digital sectors.
Out of the CEF program devoted to energy (EUR 5.83 billion), 15% (EUR 875 million) is earmarked for a new category of eligible projects, namely ‘cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy', including for instance the generation of renewable energy from on- and offshore wind, solar energy, sustainable biomass, ocean energy, geothermal energy, or combinations thereof, their connection to the grid and additional elements such as storage or conversion facilities.
The Commission is now consulting stakeholders on its draft delegated act aiming at laying down the specific selection criteria and selection procedure of cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy.europa.eu/info/law/better调控/Have-your-say/intiatives/13239-Re在这方面,委员会强调推广者似可申请可再生能源领域跨边界项目状况,但不申请CEF供资状态确实必须被视为项目“质量标签”,允许推广者从市场或从会员国获得适当资金ec.europa.eu/news/cef-Energy-eu1-munds-support-prete-stude-service-s/p/p>Covington团队拥有丰富经验帮助你从早期阶段构建欧盟能源项目帮助您准备对咨询的回应-我们经常对一系列问题做-后,设计您的项目并按CEF、欧盟国家援助法、能源监管、公共订约和项目融资供资万博体育app手机登录ahrfss/www.cov.com/en/candido-garcia-molyneux'>CandidoGarcía Molyneux Energy and Project Development and Finance teams.