EC launches €3 bln call for clean tech projects to deliver on REPowerEU and end dependence on Russian fossil fuels

European Commission (EC) has launched the third call for large-scale clean technology projects with a budget of €3 billion to boost the deployment of industrial solutions to decarbonise Europe.

The call was opened under the EU Innovation Fund, a funding programme for the demonstration and commercialisation of innovative low-carbon technologies.

With this call, EC focuses on the priorities of the REPowerEU plan and aims to provide additional support towards ending the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

The call will fund projects covering the following topics:

• General decarbonisation (budget: €1 billion) seeking innovative projects in renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage or carbon capture, use, and storage, as well as products substituting carbon-intensive ones (notably low-carbon transport fuels, including for maritime and aviation);
• Innovative electrification in industry and hydrogen (budget: €1 billion) seeking innovative projects in electrification methods to replace fossil fuel use in industry as well as renewable hydrogen production or hydrogen uptake in industry;
• Clean tech manufacturing (budget: €0.7 billion) seeking innovative projects in the manufacturing of components as well as final equipment for electrolysers and fuel cells, renewable energy, energy storage and heat pumps;
• Mid-sized pilots (budget: €0.3 billion) seeking highly innovative projects in disruptive or breakthrough technologies in deep decarbonisation in all eligible sectors of the fund. Projects should prove the innovation in an operational environment but would not be expected to reach large-scale demonstration or commercial production.

As explained, projects will be assessed by independent evaluators according to their level of innovation, the potential to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, operational, financial and technical maturity, scaling up potential and cost efficiency.

The call is open for projects located in EU Member States, Iceland and Norway until 16 March 2023.