Review of the Communication on important projects of common European interest (IPCEI)

Policy field.

Competition: State aid

Target group

All citizens, organisations, companies, and public authorities are welcome to contribute to this consultation.

Period of consultation

From  23.02.2021  to  20.04.2021

Objective of the consultation

The evaluation of the Communication on important projects of common European interest undertaken in the context of the  Fitness Check of State aid rules  showed that the current provisions work well and are an effective tool to achieve the objective of facilitating the emergence of important projects of common European interest. However, some targeted adjustments are necessary: (a) Clarifying certain notions and providing further guidance on certain criteria set out in the Communication; (b) Facilitating the involvement of SMEs, in line with the  Industrial Strategy  and the  SME Strategy ; (c) Ensuring the wide European character of important projects of common European interest by enhancing their openness and consistency with EU policies, notably the  European Green Deal .

How to submit your contribution

We welcome contributions from citizens, organisations, companies and public authorities.

Received contributions will be published on this webpage. Only submissions that are clearly marked "CONFIDENTIAL" (in English, in capital letters) will be treated as such and not published. In that case, please also provide a non-confidential version of your reply. It is important to read the privacy statement attached to this consultation for information on how your personal data and contribution will be dealt with.

We would  appreciate receiving submissions electronically, as attachments to emails in .doc or .pdf format . Please see for contact details below.

Please note that we cannot guarantee to take account of replies received after the deadline.

Consultation document

These are non-official translations. In case of doubt, the English version prevails.

  • Draft communication:   bg cs da de el en es et fi fr hu it lt lv mt nl pl pt ro sk sl sv

Results of the public consultation

All non-confidential replies to the consultation are available here .

Reference documents

Please note that the background note will be launched based on the English version of the text. These are non-official translations. In case of doubt, the English version prevails.

  • Background note accompanying the consultation on the draft IPCEI Communication:   bg cs da de el en es et fi fr hr hu it lt lv mt nl pl pt ro sk sl sv
  • Press release

Contact details

Responsible service: Directorate-General for Competition – Unit H2 Please always indicate the reference number in your correspondence: HT.4892

Postal address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition, Unit H1 State aid Registry 1049 Bruxelles /Brussel Belgique /België Ref.: HT.4892

Reason why the consultation period is less than 12 weeks

Need for an accelerated revision of the Communication to ensure a timely adoption as part of measures undertaken taken in response to the challenges in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Digital transformation.

Projects of Common Interest Interactive Map

international projects of common european interest

Modern energy infrastructure is crucial for an integrated energy market, security of supply and for enabling the EU to meet its broader climate and energy goals. This interactive map viewer provides up to date information on the geographic location for each of the 195 key energy infrastructure projects known as projects of common interest (PCI). The first list of PCIs was published in 2013. The list is updated every two years to integrate newly needed projects and remove obsolete ones. The projects relate to the networks for electricity, gas, oil and smart grids.

Hydrogen projects within the framework of IPCEIs

The IPCEI Hydrogen programme was launched in 2020 to promote the market ramp-up of green hydrogen. IPCEI stands for Important Project of Common European Interest and was signed by 23 EU Member States and Norway in order to interlink European hydrogen projects and to benefit from spill-over effects at a European level. In the meantime, four IPCEI Hydrogen “waves” with 18 involved countries have been registered at the EU level. 1,5 billion from the RRF will support some of the overall 62 projects in Germany, 

The German plan will support integrated hydrogen projects along the entire value chain. The measure is articulated around production, transport and storage of hydrogen, as well as on hydrogen applications (in industry and mobility). New electrolysis capability will be built to produce renewable hydrogen in locations where sufficient renewable electricity is available.

More information can be found on the website of the government here

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CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS

Find out what an IPCEI is and how to apply for one

We tell you everything you need to know about Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

  • July 15, 2022
  • European project funding

what an ipcei is

What an IPCEI is and what are its objectives?

Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) are cross-border, cutting-edge innovation and infrastructure projects, which aim to bring together the public and private sectors. They are designed to overcome major or systemic market failures in strategic value chains.

IPCEIs should contribute significantly to the achievement of EU strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Digital Strategy. Furthermore, they should generate positive spill-over effects for the benefit of the EU economy and its citizens at large. In other words, they should contribute to sustainable economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, etc.

The requirements to be met are:

  • Contribute to the common objectives of the European Union.
  • Demonstrably overcome major market failures.
  • Involve at least four Member States, unless a smaller number is exceptionally justified by the nature of the project.
  • Be designed in a transparent and inclusive manner, so as to give all Member States a real opportunity to participate.
  • Produce concrete positive spill-over effects for the benefit of the EU economy and society beyond the Member States and participating companies.
  • Have significant co-financing from the companies that will receive State aid.
  • Avoid negative environmental impacts due to non-compliance with the no significant harm principle.
  • Eligible costs are: feasibility studies, instrumentation and equipment costs; acquisition (or construction) costs of buildings, infrastructure and land, costs of other materials; costs of obtaining, validating and defending patents; personnel and administrative costs, among others.

How support for an IPCEI is granted

IPCEIs are a state aid scheme to support R&D&I activity established by the European Commission (EC) . Funding is granted through State aid, in accordance with EU rules, from the national budget, which must be notified to Brussels for assessment and, if necessary, approval.

For aid granted to an IPCEI to be considered compatible with the internal market, it must meet the following criteria:

  • Proportionality. It does not disproportionately distort competition.
  • Necessity. It must help a consortium having difficulties in launching a project, which without public support, would not see the light of day.
  • Adequacy. The support should only cover the funding gap (up to and including 100%) and not go beyond ensuring sufficient viability of the project.

How is an IPCEI prepared?

The application process to participate in an IPCEI has different steps and negotiations between the Member States and the European Commission.

First, Member States identify a market failure and raise the possibility of establishing an IPCEI to cover it. Each Member State launches national Expressions of Interest (EOI) and calls for applications to which those interested in joining the IPCEI can apply.

The competent authorities in the Member States review the proposals received and select the best proposals to be part of the project. The phase between pre-notification and notification is used to evaluate the submitted projects and clarify any outstanding issues. As for the notification phase, it can be relatively short. This allows the Commission to finalise its assessment and take the appropriate decision.

Finally, the assessment of IPCEIs is carried out by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, which must have analysed the project’s compliance with the Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility of aid with the internal market set out in EC Communication C (2021) 8481 of 25/11/2021.

What are the rules?

In 2014, the European Commission adopted a specific communication on state aid rules for IPCEIs, setting out the criteria to be taken into account for the assessment of state aid to promote the implementation of IPCEIs.

In November 2021, the EC published a revision, which entered into force on 1st January 2022 and which sets out the criteria for the Commission to assess Member States’ support for IPCEIs.

In particular, the revised Communication:

  • Further strengthens the European and open character of IPCEIs by stating that IPCEIs should normally involve at least four Member States (previously, only two were necessary) and by requiring that IPCEIs are designed in a transparent and inclusive manner.
  • Facilitates the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in IPCEIs and enhances the benefits of their participation through specific facilities for assessing the compatibility of SME support, such as the possibility for smaller companies to have a more limited own contribution to projects than otherwise required.
  • It aligns its objectives with current EU priorities.

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Projects of common interest, background and context.

Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

We support investment decision processes linked to the Projects of Common Interest. We support the Regional Groups in assessing the candidate project's compliance with the criteria laid down in the Regulation (EU) 347/2013 and its added value on a European-level, notably in the fields of electricity transmission/storage and of smart grids.  Building on our expertise in the technical and economic assessment of energy projects, we have been entrusted with the development of a ranking methodology for Projects of Common Interest in the European electricity (and gas) infrastructure and we also developed a multi-criteria assessment framework for Projects of Common Interest in the field of Smart Grids.

Main publications

international projects of common european interest

2022 - Selection of Smart Grids Projects of Common Interest—Past Experiences and Future Perspectives

This paper discusses the authors’ experience gained with the selection of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) in the thematic area of smart grids deployment, in the context of the TEN-E Regulation. It presents the framework for assessing candidate electricity smart grids for inclusion in the European Union list of PCIs, in view of the TEN-E Regulation and the existing literature on assessment methodologies for energy infrastructure projects. It also provides an overview of smart grid projects included in the PCI lists, with the aim to shed light on the types of projects and their contribution to accelerating the development of European cross-border energy infrastructure projects to respond to EU energy and climate targets. The paper concludes with discussion of recent regulatory initiatives and their potential implications on the presented methodology.

international projects of common european interest

2021 - Projects of common interest in the priority thematic area of smart grids deployment

The document presents the outcome of the evaluation process of candidate projects of common interest in the priority thematic area of smart grids deployment, as set out in Regulation (EU) No 347/2013. The evaluation follows the guidelines of the Assessment framework for projects of common interest in the field of smart grids — 2017 update developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and adopted within the smart grid priority thematic group. The report aims to assist the smart grid priority thematic group in proposing projects of common interest in the thematic area of smart grids deployment to be included in the fifth Union list of projects of common interest.

international projects of common european interest

2021 - The impact of PCI projects on the current and future European power & gas systems

The present study documents the methodology and results of modelling in order to quantify the benefits of electricity and gas related Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) for the European Power and Gas systems. The quantitative scenario analysis was conducted using the METIS model and quantified the potential benefits of already commissioned, under construction and planned PCI projects to the power and gas systems. The section on the analysis of the power system presents the impact of PCI projects on market integration, CO2 emissions, renewable curtailment, marginal price, power adequacy, and welfare indicators. The impact of climatic variability on the calculated benefits provided by the 4th list of PCIs was also assessed for 2030. The section on the analysis of the gas system presents a similar approach on the evaluation of welfare indicators, adding insight on crisis scenarios simulating disruption of gas supply to EU through Ukraine, to assess the benefits of security of supply derived from the implementation of new projects.

international projects of common european interest

2019 - Identification of Projects of Common Interest in the priority thematic area of smart grids deployment

The document presents the outcome of the evaluation process of candidate Projects of Common Interest in the priority thematic area of ‘smart grids deployment’, as set out in the trans-European energy infrastructure regulation. The evaluation follows the guidelines of the assessment framework for smart grid Projects of Common Interest, 2017 update, developed by the JRC and adopted within the smart grid thematic group. The report aims to assist the smart grids thematic group in proposing projects of common interest in the area of ‘smart grids deployment’ to be included in the 4th Union list of Projects of Common Interest.

IPCEI on Microelectronics

About this document

Publication type.

  • SZCZEPANSKI Marcin

Policy area

  • Economics and Monetary Issues
  • BUSINESS AND COMPETITION
  • business organisation
  • competitiveness
  • economic conditions
  • economic growth
  • economic policy
  • eligibility criteria
  • European construction
  • EUROPEAN UNION
  • PRODUCTION, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
  • project of common interest
  • research and development
  • research and intellectual property
  • self-sufficiency rate
  • technological change
  • technology and technical regulations
  • trans-European network
  • value chain

Geographical area

  • EU Member States

international projects of common european interest

Important Projects of Common European Interest

An IPCEI is defined as Important Projects of Common European Interest designed to bring together public and private sectors to undertake large-scale transnational projects of strategic significance for the EU and for the achievement of common European objectives, in particular as regards the Europe 2020 objectives, the Union’s flagship initiatives and key areas for economic growth such as the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). IPCEIs make it possible to bring together knowledge, expertise, financial resources, and economic actors throughout the Union, to overcome important market or systemic failures and societal challenges which could not otherwise be addressed. 

Different advantages are foreseen for these types of projects, indeed on the basis of a large set of eligible costs the project can be aided  up to 100%  of the funding gap and the costs of  first industrial deployment  (i.e. between pilot/demo line and before the start of mass production) are considered eligible. 

The notion of “Important Project of Common European Interest” is laid down in Art. 107(3)(b) TFEU as part of the State aid rules that provide that aid to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest  may be considered to be compatible with the internal market.  In 2014, the Commission adopted a dedicated  Communication on State aid rules for Important Projects of Common European Interest  (2014/C 188/02) that sets out guidance as to the criteria the Commission will apply for the assessment of State aid to promote the execution of IPCEIs (prolonged until the end of 2021and the adoption of the new IPCEI Communication is planned for the second half of 2021). Rules on public financing of IPCEIs are laid down in the R & D&I Framework and in the Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection which give guidance on the application of Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (the Treaty).   

In order to qualify as an IPCEI, a  project must be important quantitatively or qualitatively . It should either be particularly large or scope and/or imply a very considerable level of technological or financial risk. The IPCEI eligible project can be a  single project  or an  integrated project  (a group of single projects inserted in a common structure, roadmap, or programme aiming at the same objective and based on a coherent systemic approach).  

For the definition of a IPCEI Project, the Communication (2014/C 188/02) sets out General cumulative criteria, general positive indicators, and specific criteria. Among them: 

  • Contribution to Union objective(s)  and significant impact on  economic growth, sustainability, or value creation across the EU; 
  • Project involving  more than one Member State;  
  • Positive spillover effects  on internal market/Union society;  benefits not limited to participating Member States & companies (on the knowledge & results they generate in the  IPCEI beyond their business as usual – quantitatively & qualitatively); 
  • Co-financing  by the beneficiary; 
  • In the case of R&D&I, projects must be of a  major innovative nature  or of important added value (Disruptive and ambitious research and innovation, beyond the state of  the art in the sector); 
  • First industrial deployment covered where it allows for the   development of a new product  with high R&D&I content or of a  fundamentally innovative production process.  

The eligible costs are feasibility studies, costs of instruments, and equipment; costs of the acquisition (or construction) of buildings, infrastructure, and land, costs of other materials; costs for obtaining, validating, and defending patents; personnel and administrative costs; in case of aid to a project of first industrial deployment, the capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), as long as the industrial deployment follows on from an R & D&I activity; other costs (Annex of the Communication 2014/C 188/02). 

The application process to participate in an IPCEI foresaw  different steps  and negotiations between Member states and the European Commission. Each Member state launches at the national level Expression of Interest and calls to which interested stakeholders can apply. Member States relevant authorities screen the quality of all company documents before submitting them to avoid delays in their assessment and multiple rounds of requests for information and clarifications. 

The phase between  pre-notification and notification  is used to assess the submitted projects and clarify all open issues. The Notification phase can be rather shorts allowing the Commission to finalise its assessment and adopt the relevant decision. However, the timeframe for approval depends on the quality of the submitted main documents that are the  “Chapeau” document  outlining the relevant market failures and justifying the eligibility including the integration of the IPCEI, the  Company Project Portfolios and Financial Data on eligible costs, Funding Gaps  and the necessity and proportionality of aid and the form of aid proposed.  

Since 2014, the IPCEI Communication has been applied in the field of  infrastructure  as well as for integrated projects in the area of research and innovation, for  microelectronics  (in December 2018), and for the battery value chain (in  December 2019  and in  January 2021 ). In the context of the NGEU and Recovery and Resilience Plan different Member States have foreseen to deepen their cooperation in the fields of climate action and digitalisation by introducing under their national plans different IPCEI mainly in the areas of hydrogen, microelectronics and communication technologies, and cloud/data processing. 

FI Group has 20 years of experience and wants to accompany you on the new NextGenerationEU path. Our experts are at your disposal to analyse how your project fits into the NextGenerationEU European recovery fund and to take the next steps together with you. Contact us .

Luca Pira  

International Grants Senior Consultant 

international projects of common european interest

Commission approves up to €8.1 billion of public support by 14 Member States, including Ireland, for an Important Project of Common European Interest

The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an Important Project of Common European Interest to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment of microelectronics and communication technologies across the value chain.

Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager addressing the press conference on the State Aid decision

The project, called “IPCEI ME/CT” , was jointly prepared and notified by fourteen Member States: Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland , Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

The Member States will provide up to €8.1 billion in public funding, which is expected to unlock additional €13.7 billion in private investments. As part of this IPCEI, 56 companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') and start-ups, will undertake 68 projects.

Microelectronics and communication technologies are the backbone of any modern electronic device from mobile phones to medical equipment. This Important Project of Common European interest is the largest approved so far and the second on microelectronics. Innovation is essential to help Europe economy become greener and more resilient. But innovation can come with risks that the market alone is not ready to take. This is why State aid should be made available to fill such a gap. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy

IPCEI ME/CT

The IPCEI ME/CT concerns research and development projects covering microelectronics and communication technologies across the whole value chain from materials and tools to the chip designs and manufacturing processes.

These projects aim at enabling the digital and green transformation by: (i) creating innovative microelectronics and communication solutions , and (ii) developing energy-efficient and resource-saving electronics systems and manufacturing methods . They will contribute to the technological advancement of many sectors, including communications (5G and 6G), autonomous driving, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. They will also support companies active in the energy generation, distribution and use in their green transition.

First novel products may be introduced to the market as early as 2025 and the completion of the overall project is planned for 2032, with timelines varying in function of the project and the companies involved. Around 8.700 direct jobs are expected to be created, and many more indirect ones.

IPCEI ME/CT follows and complements the first IPCEI to support research and innovation in the field of microelectronics, approved by the Commission in December 2018 .

The Commission assessment

The Commission assessed the proposed IPCEI under EU State aid rules, more specifically its 2021 Communication on Important Projects of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI Communication'). Where private initiatives supporting breakthrough innovation fail to materialise because of the significant risks such projects entail, the IPCEI rules enable Member States to jointly fill the gap to overcome these important market failures. At the same time, the IPCEI rules ensure that the EU economy at large benefits from the supported investments and limit potential distortions to competition.

The Commission has found that the IPCEI ME/CT fulfils the required conditions set out in its Communication and is in line with State aid rules.

In particular, the Commission concluded that:

  • The IPCEI ME/CT directly contributes to achieving several EU objectives of a greener, digital, more secure, resilient and sovereign economy set out in key EU policy initiatives, such as the Europe's Digital Decade and the European Green Deal .
  • All 68 projects part of the IPCEI are highly ambitious, as they aim at  developing technologies that go beyond what the market currently offers  and will allow major improvements, notably in the areas of sensors, high performance processors, microprocessors including artificial intelligence, actuators and communication means for secure data exchange.
  • The IPCEI also involves significant technological and financial risks. Therefore, public support is necessary to provide incentives to companies to carry out the investment .
  • Aid to individual companies is limited to what is  necessary, proportionate and does not unduly distort competition . In particular, the Commission has verified that the total planned maximum aid amounts are in line with the eligible costs of the projects and their funding gaps. Furthermore, if large projects covered by the IPCEI turn out to be very successful, generating extra net revenues, the companies will return part of the aid received to the respective Member State ( claw-back mechanism ).
  • The results of the project will be widely shared by participating companies benefitting from the public support with the European scientific community and industry beyond the companies and countries that are part of the IPCEI, including through conferences, publications, access to pilot and production facilities or licensing of intellectual property rights. As a result,  positive spill-over effects will be generated throughout Europe.

Funding, participants and structure of the IPCEI

The IPCEI involves 68 projects from 56 companies . These direct participants will closely cooperate through more than 180 envisaged cross-border collaborations.

The figure below presents the overall structure of IPCEI ME/CT, including the individual workstreams:

Commission approves up to €8.1 billion of public support by fourteen Member States for an Important Project of Common European Interest in microelectronics and communication technologies: figure 1

The 68 projects are part of the wider IPCEI ME/CT ecosystem involving over 30 associated participants, including universities, research organisations and companies located in five additional EU Member States (Belgium, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovenia) and Norway. Public support to projects handled by research organisation do not require the Commission's approval, as it does not qualify as aid. The companies, which seek limited aid amounts, can obtain the public support under General Block Exemption Regulation , which therefore does not need to be notified to the Commission for approval. Their innovative projects are not considered part of the IPCEI as such.

The figure below presents the IPCEI ecosystem showing the direct participants and the associated participants:

Commission approves up to €8.1 billion of public support by fourteen Member States for an Important Project of Common European Interest in microelectronics and communication technologies, Figure 2

In addition, there are around 600 indirect partners which are companies or organisations that hold collaboration agreements with one or more direct participants of IPCEI ME/CT and that can therefore benefit from the various dissemination activities.

Several Member States (Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) included their participation in the IPCEI ME/CT in their Recovery and Resilience Plans. These Member States have the possibility to partly fund their projects through the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

More information on the amount of aid to individual participants will be available in the public version of the Commission's decision, once confidentiality issues have been resolved with Member States and third parties.

The Commission's approval of this IPCEI is part of the wider Commission efforts to ensure a greener, digital, more secure, resilient, and sovereign European economy.

On 7 December 2020, 22 Member States signed a joint Declaration on a European Initiative on Processors and semiconductor technologies , in which they stated their willingness to cooperate and co-invest in semiconductor technologies by mobilising industrial stakeholders through an alliance, addressing common challenges through various funding mechanisms and setting up a new IPCEI.

In December 2018 , the Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, the first IPCEI to support research and innovation in the field of microelectronics with a budget up to €1.75 billion. The project was jointly set-up and notified by France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. This project, which aims at developing innovative microelectronics technologies and components for automotive, Internet of Things and other key applications (such as space, avionics, and security) and their first industrial deployment, originally involved 27 companies and two research organisations. In March 2021 , the Commission approved Austrian support in favour of three companies joining the project.

Today's decision concerns the sixth IPCEI approved under EU State aid rules. It is third IPCEI approved on the basis of the 2021 IPCEI Communication, setting out criteria under which several Member States can support transnational projects of strategic significance for the EU under Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union . The Communication aims at encouraging Member States to support highly innovative projects that make a clear contribution to economic growth, jobs and competitiveness.

The IPCEI Communication complements other State aid rules such as the Climate, Energy and Environment Aid Guidelines , the General Block Exemption Regulation and the Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation, which allow supporting innovative and green projects whilst ensuring that potential competition distortions are limited.

The IPCEI Communication supports investments for research, development and innovation, first industrial deployment and construction of infrastructure on condition that the projects receiving this funding are highly innovative, of European relevance and do not cover mass production or commercial activities. They also require extensive dissemination and spillover commitments of new knowledge throughout the EU, as well as a detailed competition assessment to minimise any undue distortions in the internal market.

On 1 February 2023 , the Commission announced in its Communication “ A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age ” that it would revise the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) in light of the Green Deal, increasing notification thresholds for support for green investments, in order to further streamline and simplify the roll-out of IPCEIs. On 9 March 2023 , the Commission endorsed an amendment to the GBER whereby innovative IPCEI-related projects can receive aid up to €50 million without requiring notification to the Commission. At the same time, these projects are still recognised as part of the ecosystem created by the IPCEI.

In addition as part of its Green Deal Industrial Plan, on 1 February 2023 , the Commission announced that it would prepare a Code of Good Practices (“Code”) based on the knowledge, experience and lessons learned on the State aid assessments for previous and on-going IPCEIs, to ensure a more transparent, inclusive, faster and streamlined design and assessment of IPCEI projects. On 17 May 2023, the Commission published the Code on DG COMP's dedicated IPCEI website . This Code constitutes a manual of good practices addressed to national authorities, the Coordinator Member State selected by the national authorities, companies benefitting from aid based on the IPCEI rules, and the Commission services. In addition, the Commission intends to organise regular technical meetings with Member States to share good practices, in order to further improve the IPCEI processes for all stakeholders and to ensure that all Member States can participate to future IPCEIs. 

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case numbers SA.101202 (Austria), SA.101141 (Czechia), SA.101143 (Finland), SA.101193 (France), SA.101129 (Germany), SA.101210 (Greece), SA.101151 (Ireland), SA.101186 (Italy), SA.101201 (Malta), SA.101171 (the Netherlands), SA.101175 (Poland), SA.101192 (Romania), SA.101200 (Slovakia) and SA.101150 (Spain) in the  State Aid Register  on the  competition  website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of state aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the  State Aid Weekly e-News .

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Annex on the first Union list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest

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international projects of common european interest

Important Milestone for Hydrogen Ramp-Up in Germany: European Commission Approves Funding for Key Hydrogen Projects

February 15, 2024 | 4 min read

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Euro Funding 3

The European Commission has today approved 24 German projects as part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hydrogen programme. The projects submitted by Germany are part of the so-called “infrastructure wave” (Hy2Infra) of the IPCEI Hydrogen, which includes a total of 33 projects from several EU Member States that have received joint approval under State aid law. Now that approval on EU level has been granted, Germany will swiftly issue the relevant funding approval notices. The greenlight from the Commission is an important milestone for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in its efforts to ramp up Germany’s hydrogen economy and develop the hydrogen value chain in Europe as a whole. The Federal Government and the respective federal states have earmarked around €4.6 billion in funding for Germany’s IPCEI Hydrogen infrastructure projects.

The funding support is being provided for projects along the entire hydrogen value chain, from the production of green hydrogen to transport and storage infrastructure and the use of hydrogen in industry. The projects in Germany are to make a key contribution towards implementing Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy and achieving the goals of the European Union’s environmental, energy and transport strategy. The German IPCEI Hydrogen pipeline projects also form a crucial part of the hydrogen core network.

Federal Minister Robert Habeck said: “The projects in the Hy2Infra wave are important building blocks for ramping up the hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe. I am delighted that the European Commission has now granted the State aid approval. The German government recognises the importance of strengthening the German hydrogen economy along the entire value chain to enable a rapid market ramp-up. Germany and the other participating Member States can now move on swiftly to implemention phase with the companies.”

Following an expression of interest procedure, the companies selected for the IPCEI Hydrogen were able to form value chains and clusters across Europe in a so-called match-making process. These were registered with the European Commission in four topic-based “IPCEI waves” – Hy2Infra focusing on generation and infrastructure, Hy2Tech on technology, Hy2Use on utilisation and Hy2Move on mobility. Germany has taken on the task of coordinating between the European Commission and the Member States across the approval process.

The go-ahead from the Commission for the Hy2Infra wave now means that the majority of the projects selected by the Federal Government in May 2021 have been granted approval under State aid law. The Hy2Tech and Hy2Use waves were approved by the Commission back in 2022 and are already being implemented. A number of other key German hydrogen projects were separated out from the IPCEI Hydrogen in the course of the procedure and funding approval pursued on a different basis under State aid law (especially under the Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines and the General Block Exemption Regulation).

Some seven EU Member States (Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia) are involved in the Hy2Infra wave that has now been approved. The projects involved cover a total of over 2,700 kilometres of pipeline network, more than 3.2 GW of hydrogen production capacity and almost 370 GWh of storage capacity and are thus making a key contribution to developing a green hydrogen infrastructure for Europe. Further information on the projects can be found at  https://ipcei-hydrogen.eu/ .

German companies will invest around €3.4 billion of private funds in the 24 projects within the Hy2Infra wave. Together with the funding provided by the Federal Government and the respective federal states, the total investment volume amounts to around €8 billion. For all projects (with the exception of an offshore pipeline for which the ministry is the sole funder), 70% is being provided by the Federal Government and 30% by the respective federal states. Part of the funding will come from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP), which is financed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) under NextGenerationEU.

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European Commission Approves Fusion Fuel's HEVO-Portugal Project for Green Hydrogen Production

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  1. Important Projects of Common European Interest

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  2. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) English

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  3. 27 Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

    international projects of common european interest

  4. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs)

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  5. Important projects of common European interest: Boosting EU strategic

    international projects of common european interest

  6. 27 Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

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COMMENTS

  1. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

    Following Article 107 (3) (b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), aid to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in an economy of a Member State may be considered compatible with the internal market.

  2. Approved IPCEIs

    Approved integrated Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Since 2018, the Commission has approved State aid for at least one integrated Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) each year. These IPCEIs concern predominantly research and development as well as projects of first industrial deployment.

  3. Projects of Common Interest

    Projects of Common Interest ( PCIs) is a category of projects launched in 2013, which the European Commission has identified as a key priority to interconnect the energy infrastructure in the European Union. These projects are eligible to receive public funds. The PCI list is reviewed every two years.

  4. 2021 ipcei

    The evaluation of the Communication on important projects of common European interest undertaken in the context of the Fitness Check of State aid rules showed that the current provisions work well and are an effective tool to achieve the objective of facilitating the emergence of important projects of common European interest. However, some ...

  5. Key cross border infrastructure projects

    Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

  6. PDF Important projects of common European interest

    Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) states that 'The following may be considered to be compatible with the common market: (b) aid to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest'.

  7. Projects of Common Interest Interactive Map

    … Publications Use cases Projects of Common Interest Interactive Map Projects of Common Interest Interactive Map Modern energy infrastructure is crucial for an integrated energy market, security of supply and for enabling the EU to meet its broader climate and energy goals.

  8. Important projects of common European interest: State of play

    Important projects of common European interest: State of play Briefing 29-04-2022 The concept of important projects of common European interest (IPCEIs) is enshrined in Article 107 (3) (b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

  9. PDF Commission approves up to €6.9 billion of State aid by seven Member

    European Commission - Press release Commission approves up to €6.9 billion of State aid by seven Member States for the third Important Project of Common European Interest in the hydrogen value chain Brussels, 15 February 2024 The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a third Important Project of Common

  10. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

    The Commission has temporarily eased its usually strict state aid rules for Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), which are an EU mechanism to promote strategic industrial areas in the EU, such as the energy and digital transition. ... France is set to invest eight billion euros in Europe-wide projects including batteries ...

  11. PDF European Commission

    Brussels, 28 November 2023 Today, the Commission is taking another step to make the EU's energy system fit for the future by adopting the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) that is fully in line with the European Green Deal. These key cross-border

  12. Projects of Common Interest

    Projects of Common Interest Projects of Common Interest PCIs link the energy systems of EU countries and can benefit from accelerated permitting procedures and funding Key cross border infrastructure projects Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) benefit from accelerated permitting procedures and funding. PCI examples and their benefits

  13. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs)

    The Commission can approve State aid to so-called important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs), based on under Article 107 (3) (b) TFEU, and more specifically, a specific set of guidelines, the IPCEI Communication.. IPCEIs have become, since the adoption of the first IPCEI Communication in 2014, a very important tool for channelling public funding into areas that are considered to ...

  14. Hydrogen projects within the framework of IPCEIs

    The IPCEI Hydrogen programme was launched in 2020 to promote the market ramp-up of green hydrogen. IPCEI stands for Important Project of Common European Interest and was signed by 23 EU Member States and Norway in order to interlink European hydrogen projects and to benefit from spill-over effects at a European level. In the meantime, four ...

  15. Find out what an IPCEI is and how to apply for one

    European project funding. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) are cross-border, cutting-edge innovation and infrastructure projects, which aim to bring together the public and private sectors. They are designed to overcome major or systemic market failures in strategic value chains. IPCEIs should contribute significantly to ...

  16. Projects of Common Interest

    EU supports major energy infrastructure projects called projects of common interest (PCIs). They help countries work together to develop state of the art energy networks that are better interconnected and can assure access for all to safe, sustainable and affordable energy. Our role

  17. The Commission is setting up a Joint European Forum for Important

    date : 18/10/2023 Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) enable Member States to pool resources and cooperate to support breakthrough innovations or large-scale infrastructure projects in key sectors and technologies, with positive spill-over effects on the internal market and society as a whole.

  18. IPCEI

    Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) are strategic instruments for the implementation of the European Union (EU) Industrial Strategy. They materialize in large-scale consortia aimed at Research and Development and the first industrial applications in strategic value chains.

  19. About the IPCEI

    „Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) is a key strategic instrument with regard to the implementation of the European Union Industrial Strategy. An IPCEI brings together knowledge, expertise, financial resources and economic actors throughout the Union, as to overcome important market or systemic failures and societal ...

  20. Important projects of common European interest: Boosting EU strategic

    The European Parliament would also like to see the requirements for the IPCEIs streamlined to allow smaller industrial research projects also to acquire IPCEI status. In its 2021 work programme, the European Commission announced the revision of the current IPCEI framework planned for the fourth quarter of the year.

  21. Important Projects of Common European Interest

    An IPCEI is defined as Important Projects of Common European Interest designed to bring together public and private sectors to undertake large-scale transnational projects of strategic significance for the EU and for the achievement of common European objectives, in particular as regards the Europe 2020 objectives, the Union's flagship initiativ...

  22. Commission approves up to €8.1 billion of public support by 14 Member

    This Important Project of Common European interest is the largest approved so far and the second on microelectronics. Innovation is essential to help Europe economy become greener and more resilient. But innovation can come with risks that the market alone is not ready to take. This is why State aid should be made available to fill such a gap.

  23. European Commission's 2024 Work Programme must focus on economic and

    At the February plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) pointed out that the key factors for recovering from the recent crises and delivering a more resilient EU were sustainable growth, social convergence, a favourable business environment and better employment conditions. The European Commission's top priority for 2024 will be ensuring that Europe recovers, with ...

  24. Annex on the first Union list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest

    Annex on the first Union list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest. Annex on the first Union list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest ... Contact the European Commission; Follow the European Commission on social media; Resources for partners; Languages on our websites;

  25. Important Milestone For Hydrogen Ramp-Up In Germany: European

    The European Commission has today approved 24 German projects as part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hydrogen programme. The projects submitted by Germany are part of the so-called "infrastructure wave" (Hy2Infra) of the IPCEI Hydrogen, which includes a total of 33 projects from several EU Member States that ...

  26. The Strategic Forum on IPCEI published its report on the Strategic

    05 / 11 / 2019. The Strategic Forum on IPCEI published its report on the Strategic Value Chains Established in March 2018, t he Strategic Forum on Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) is a high-level expert group consisting of 45 members (including EARTO President and CEO of VTT, Antti Vasara) and representing Member States, industry and the research community who identify ...

  27. European Commission Approves Fusion Fuel's HEVO-Portugal Project for

    Fusion Fuel, a leading company in the renewable energy sector, recently received notification from the European Commission regarding the approval of their HEVO-Portugal project under the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hy2Infra program. This project, with a budget of ?650 million, aims to develop a 630 MW facility for green hydrogen production in Sines, Portugal.Once ...