ESA adopts new State aid guidelines linked to the Clean Industrial Deal

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has adopted the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF), following its introduction by the European Commission.

The CISAF provides a common framework for all 30 EEA States to support clean energy production, industrial decarbonisation, and the development of clean technologies through targeted State aid measures. It replaces the previous Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which had allowed for exceptional aid in response to the economic fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since 2022. The CISAF shifts the focus from crisis response to long-term competitiveness and climate objectives, in line with the European Green Deal and Net-Zero Industry ambitions.

The CISAF simplifies the application of State aid rules in five key areas:

  1. Roll-out of renewable energy and low-carbon fuels – to accelerate clean energy production;
  2. Temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive users – to ease the transition towards low-cost, clean electricity;
  3. Decarbonisation of existing industrial facilities – including support for cleaner processes and fuel switching;
  4. Development of clean tech manufacturing capacity – to foster domestic production of key green technologies;
  5. De-risking of strategic investments – including support for clean energy, decarbonisation, energy infrastructure, and circular economy projects.

ESA will apply the CISAF in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway from 9 July 2025 until 31 December 2030.

For more information see ESA’s decision and our PR on the adoption of the CISAF by the Commission.