On Monday 26 June, the European Commission approved the revised recovery plans submitted by France (see EUROPE 13167/15), Ireland (see EUROPE 13185/29) and Malta (see EUROPE 13171/16) with a view to incorporating ‘REPowerEU’ chapters designed to accelerate the climate transition and reduce dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.
France. With €40.25 billion in subsidies, the French recovery plan increases the funds available for the green transition from 42.4% to 49.5%.
The new ‘REPowerEU’ chapter proposes three new reforms (streamlining of authorisation procedures for renewable energy projects, energy efficiency plan, creation of a Secretariat-General for Green Planning) and three new investments (energy efficiency in buildings, hydrogen projects, decarbonisation of the industrial sector) that will help to reduce France’s dependence on fossil fuels.
See the revised French recovery plan (in French): https://aeur.eu/f/6h4
See the Commission’s proposal to approve the revised French plan: https://aeur.eu/f/7qa
Ireland. With €989 million in subsidies, the revised Irish plan modifies the deadlines for two measures: one aims to encourage private investment in energy efficiency through a guarantee scheme, and the other to increase the supply of affordable social housing.
See the Commission proposal approving the revised Irish plan: https://aeur.eu/f/7q9
Malta. With €328 million in subsidies, the revised plan aims to speed up the granting of permits for renewable energy production and require the installation of solar panels on all new buildings. The aim is also to improve the electricity grid via battery-storage solutions.
Two investments - the construction of a new ferry port in Buġibba and the creation of a centre of excellence for vocational education - have been cut and two reforms - the increased digitalisation of the health sector and the renovation of a hospital - have been scaled back.
See Malta’s revised plan: https://aeur.eu/f/6lk
See the Commission’s proposal to approve the revised Maltese plan: https://aeur.eu/f/7qb (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)