The European Commission has approved a €100 million State aid scheme to support clean technology manufacturing capacity in Austria, reinforcing the country's role in Europe's industrial decarbonisation strategy and the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal.

The measure was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), adopted by the Commission in June 2025 to accelerate investments in sectors considered essential for achieving the European Union's climate and industrial goals.

The newly approved programme complements a previous Austrian scheme authorised by the Commission in December 2025, which also allocated €100 million to support cleantech manufacturing projects. Together, the two schemes make available up to €200 million for strategic industrial investments in Austria.

Subsidised loans for strategic clean technologies

Under the scheme, support will be provided through subsidised loans to small, medium-sized and large enterprises investing in strategic sectors such as battery manufacturing, solar panels and wind turbines.

Aid may be granted until 31 December 2026, with the objective of ensuring sufficient manufacturing capacity for clean technologies, their key components and the related critical raw materials required by the energy transition.

According to the Commission, the measure is expected to strengthen domestic production capabilities while supporting the deployment of technologies needed to achieve a net-zero economy.

Following its assessment, the Commission concluded that the Austrian scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of strategic economic activities and accelerate the transition towards climate neutrality.

Supporting Europe's industrial competitiveness

Commenting on the decision, Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, highlighted the role of clean technology manufacturing in Europe's industrial future.

"Today's decision, which complements earlier support already approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework, will help expand clean technology manufacturing in Austria. Investing in batteries, solar panels and wind energy means investing in Europe's competitiveness, resilience and energy security. Clean technologies are essential for decarbonisation and for Europe's industrial future," Ribera said.

Clean Industrial Deal framework

The CISAF was adopted by the European Commission on 25 June 2025 to facilitate national support measures in sectors that are critical for the transition to a net-zero economy.

The framework allows Member States to support investments in renewable energy, energy storage, industrial decarbonisation, clean technology manufacturing and strategic infrastructure projects. It also provides mechanisms to de-risk private investments and accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies across the European Union.

Under the framework, Member States can provide support for strategic technologies identified in the EU's industrial policy, including batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, electrolysers, carbon capture technologies and the production and recycling of critical raw materials.

The approval of the Austrian scheme forms part of broader European efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, improve supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on imported clean energy technologies while advancing the bloc's decarbonisation objectives.