The European Commission approved a €100 million Italian scheme to support the production of electrolysers to foster the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

According to the Euroean Commission, on 7 August 2023, Italy notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €100 million scheme to support the production of electrolysers to foster the transition to a net-zero economy.

The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies. The new Framework amends and prolongs in part the Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted on 23 March 2022 to enable Member States to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.

Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The purpose of the scheme is to build up capacities for the production of strategic equipment necessary for the diversification of energy sources. The measure will be open to all sectors, with the exception of financial institutions.

The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. 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 until no later than 31 December 2025.