On Thursday, 19 October, the European Commission approved the revised post-Covid-19 recovery plans that Austria, Sweden, and Denmark submitted—three plans that contain a ‘REPowerEU’ chapter designed to accelerate the energy transition and the reduction of the European Union’s dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.
Austria. Now with a budget of €3.96 billion solely in the form of grants, the revised Austrian plan is allocating 56% of the available funds to the climate transition (see EUROPE 13224/23). Emphasis is notably being put on renewable energy production, specifically by streamlining permitting procedures for the wind power sector, producing renewable hydrogen, and decarbonising transport. A subsidy scheme for citizens and non-profit organisations will be created to encourage the installation of photovoltaic systems on rooftops.
See the European Commission’s analysis of the revised Austrian recovery plan: https://aeur.eu/f/95k
Sweden. Now with €3.45 billion solely in the form of grants, the revised Swedish recovery plan is devoting 43.6% of the allocated funds to the climate transition, notably through the electrification of the Swedish economy and the construction of energy-efficient housing (see EUROPE 13236/20). Investments aiming to improve the workforce’s digital skills have been included [in the plan].
See the European Commission’s analysis of the revised Swedish recovery plan: https://aeur.eu/f/95j
Denmark. The revised Danish plan, which now has a budget of €1.63 billion solely in the form of grants, is devoting 69% of its financial allocation to the climate transition. It envisages a reduction in permits for gas district heating, accelerated deployment of solar and wind energy production infrastructures, and funding for carbon storage.
See the European Commission’s analysis of the revised Danish plan: https://aeur.eu/f/95l (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)