The aid measure has been approved by the European Commission €550 million in support of investments for the use of hydrogen in industrial processes. This is state aid granted in the form of direct grant.
The Commission assessed that the Italian regime it is necessary, adequate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate it development of some economic activities relevant to the implementation of the plan REPowerEU he was born in industrial plan of the Green Deal.
Il regime was approved under the Temporary crisis and transition framework for state aid adopted by the Commission for support measures in key sectors in order to accelerate the green transition and reducing dependence on fuels.
The temporary crisis and transition framework
The temporary crisis and transition framework has been extended by six months (with an amendment made on November 20, 2023) to provide a way to respond to the crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the unprecedented increase in energy prices. With this change, the possibilities for Member States to put in place measures, compliant with current EU State aid rules, to help companies deal with liquidity shortages and compensate them for the damage caused by the exceptional international crisis situation.
The measure of the Italian State
Under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, Italy has notified to the Commission a €550 million scheme to support investments for replace methane and other fossil fuels with renewable hydrogenincluding in combination with electrification or significant improvements in energy efficiency in industrial processes.
The measure, financed by resources allocated to Pnrrwill be intended for Italian companies that depend on fossil fuels as a source of energy or as a raw material for production processes.
A condition for financial support is the guarantee of one effective reduction of emissions and the transition to the use of hydrogen.
I eligible projects they must determine a reduction of at least 40% of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from production processes or to one reduction of at least 20% of energy consumption compared to today. To benefit from the measure, companies must switch from the use of fossil fuels to renewable hydrogen and can combine these investments with investments to electrify production processes or significantly improve their energy efficiency.