Brussels, 09/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 December, the European Commission gave its approval to granting over €1.5 billion to 15 energy projects aimed at strengthening EU energy supply security and reducing its carbon emissions. Of this, €1 billion will be allocated to six carbon capture and storage projects, and €565 million will be for nine offshore wind farms. The total amount of €1.5 billion is to be taken from the €3.980 billion granted as part of the European recovery plan as a contribution to funding about 50 European key energy projects in 2009 and 2010 (EUROPE 9937).
For the 15 carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects or wind energy projects selected, this first allocation of €1.5 billion is divided out as follows: - 180 million for the CCS demonstration plan in Jaenschwalde, Germany; - 100 million for installation of CCS technology in Porto-Tolle, Italy; - 180 million for the installation of a CCS project in Rotterdam, Netherlands; - 180 million for the CCS plant in Belchatow in Poland; - 180 million for a CCS installation in Compostilla, Spain; - 180 million for a CCS installation in Hatfield, United Kingdom; - 150 million for a combined Swedish, German and Danish grid interconnected wind farm combination; - 86.54 million for Cobra Cable, a large capacity interconnector between the Netherlands and Denmark; - 74.10 million for HVDC Hub, an offshore wind energy platform between the Scottish mainland and the Shetlands, in the United Kingdom; - 53.10 million for the offshore wind farm Bard 1, off Germany; - 58.55 million for the offshore wind far project Global Tech 1, off the coast of Germany; - 50 million for the offshore wind far project Nordsee Ost, off Germany; - 42.71 million for the Borkum West 2 project, off Germany; - 40 million for the Aberdeen offshore wind farm, Scotland, UK; - and 10 million for the Thornton Bank wind farm, off the coast of Belgium.
Procedures relating to the granting of funds for other projects selected as part of the European recovery plan for the electricity and gas sectors are still underway. The decision is to be taken in February 2010. In the meantime, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomes the decision taken on Wednesday whereby the Commission lays the foundations for the development of two sustainable technologies that will play a fundamental role in the EU's fight against climate change. A decision, he says, that shows the Commission's resolve to support the development of innovative energy technology that will generate new jobs and greater growth in the future. (E.H./transl.jl)