CISAF: Commission approves EUR 300 million State aid scheme for temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies in Ireland
The purpose of the scheme is to support energy-intensive companies by compensating them for a share of their electricity costs for a maximum of three years. Through the condition to reinvest a significant share of the aid received in decarbonisation measures, this scheme will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme will be open to companies active in sectors with a significant risk of activities moving outside the EU to locations where environmental measures are absent or less ambitious.
The aid will be disbursed in the form of a direct grant in the year the eligible costs are incurred, or in the following year. The Irish scheme will run from 4 July 2025 until 31 December 2029.
The Commission found that the Irish scheme is in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and with the conditions set out in the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF). In particular:
- the scheme facilitates the development of economic activities in the eligible sectors and aims to preserve the economic viability of companies in these sectors;
- the scheme complies with the condition that the reduced electricity price is at least EUR 50/MW;
- the scheme covers the electricity consumption of beneficiaries for a maximum duration of three years; and
- beneficiaries will be required to invest at least 50% of the aid received in new or modernised assets to reduce electricity system costs, reflecting market and system needs, without increasing fossil fuel use.
For more information, see its specific PR.