On Friday 17 November, the European Commission announced that it had approved an Austrian aid scheme worth around €3 billion, notified under the Temporary Framework for State Aid during crisis and transition periods (see EUROPE 13138/1). This aid scheme is designed to support businesses of all sizes and in all sectors, except for credit and financial institutions, which are faced with rising energy costs.
Aid will reach beneficiaries in the form of direct grants.
The aid scheme has two components. The first part will support eligible businesses with limited aid to offset the increased cost of all energy sources.
The second consists of limited amounts to offset the additional costs incurred by businesses due to the exceptional increases in natural gas and electricity prices. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)