The European Commission has approved a €1.2 billion Spanish scheme to support investments in the production of renewable hydrogen to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF’), adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024. The Spanish […]
Read More
Europe’s air quality keeps improving but pollution levels are still unsafe in many areas
Air quality has improved considerably in Europe over the past decades, but polluted air is still the biggest environmental health hazard in Europe and globally. According to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) analysis on air quality data for 2022 and 2023, published today, Europe’s air quality continues improving but, in many areas, especially in cities, […]
Read MoreCommission kick-starts work on a new pilot mechanism to boost the hydrogen market
The Commission is taking further steps to support the development of the European hydrogen market by launching work on a pilot mechanism. The new mechanism was created under the recently-adopted decarbonised gases and hydrogen package, and aims to accelerate investments by providing a clearer picture of the market situation of both off-takers and suppliers and facilitating contacts between them. It will be in […]
Read More
EU withdraws from the Energy Charter Treaty
The European Union and Euratom will leave the Energy Charter Treaty, while member states will be allowed to support its modernisation during the next Energy Charter Conference. The decisions are linked as they form the two pillars of a political compromise known as the Belgian roadmap on the Energy Charter Treaty. The formal adoption by the […]
Read More
Eurostat: EU natural gas demand falls by 7.4% in 2023
The EU‘s demand for natural gas has been declining for 2 consecutive years. After a 13.3% yearly decrease in 2022, demand fell by another 7.4% in 2023, totalling 12.72 million terajoules in 2023. This also marks the lowest demand recorded since the collection of monthly cumulated data began in 2008. This reduction has been affected by measures outlined […]
Read More
Council approves gas and hydrogen market package
The Council has adopted a regulation and a directive establishing common internal market rules for renewable and natural gases and hydrogen and reforming the existing EU gas legislation. The new rules will help make the shift to renewable and low-carbon gases, in particular hydrogen, in the energy system, with a view to achieving the EU’s […]
Read More
The European Commission approves a €120 million Spanish scheme to support investments in strategic sectors of the Asturias region
The European Commission has approved a €120 million Spanish scheme to support investments in strategic sectors in the Asturias region to foster the transition to a zero net emission economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for state aid, adopted by the […]
Read More
April infringement package: main decisions for Spain
The main decisions adopted by the Commission for Spain are presented below, grouped by policy area. Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Commission urges BULGARIA, SPAIN and ROMANIA to comply with public procurement legislation The European Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings by sending a letter of formal notice to Romania [INFR(2023)2114] and by […]
Read More
Commission opens two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in the solar photovoltaic sector
The Commission launched two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The investigations relate to the potentially market distortive role of foreign subsidies given to bidders in a public procurement procedure. The Commission will assess whether the economic operators concerned did benefit from an unfair advantage to win public contracts in the EU. The investigations […]
Read More