The federal government wants to stimulate more climate protection in industry with billions of dollars. The approval for new subsidies is now coming from Brussels. Companies must meet certain requirements.
The European Commission has given its approval to an industrial funding program from the Federal Government worth a total of 2.2 billion euros. This involves industrial companies switching to more climate-friendly production. The Commission said today that the funding is “necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the ecological transition”.
Companies in Germany that rely on the use of fossil fuels as an energy source or raw material for their production processes can receive the subsidy. The prerequisite is that the companies reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 40 percent. Companies should use the money to electrify their production or switch to “green” hydrogen, the EU Commission cited as an example.
Up to 200 million euros per company
“The measure will also help Germany reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels more quickly,” said EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. Possible unfair competitive advantages for the supported companies would be “limited to a minimum”.
In December, Brussels had already given the green light for billions in federal subsidies in Saarland: Dillinger Hüttenwerke, Saarstahl and Rogesa will receive around 2.6 billion euros for the climate-neutral conversion of steel production. Each company should now be able to claim a maximum of 200 million euros from the new pot. The money is expected to be paid out by the end of next year.