Deadline: 30-Mar-23
The European Commission (EC) is calling for proposals for Renewable Energy Valleys to increase energy security while accelerating the green transition in Europe.
Scope
- The EU energy system strongly relies on centralised electricity generation and on fuel imports, with 95% of its oil and 84% of its gas consumption sourced from outside the EU. The REPowerEU Plan proposes a set of actions to reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels and diversify its energy supply ‘well before 2030’. The three pillars of the plan are to ramp up the production of green energy, diversify our energy supplies, and reduce our demand for fossil gas, coal and oil.
- Renewable energy valleys are understood as decentralised renewable energy systems that offer a viable and efficient solution to the challenges mentioned above. For example, local production and consumption, reduced transmission and distribution losses thanks to the reliance on local networks for energy needs, greater operational flexibility and reduced dependence on expensive fuel imports all contribute to a higher energy autonomy, a more secure supply, and lower, more stable overall energy costs, including for individual citizens. In addition, this alleviates a part of the load on the centralised grid and avoids blockages by the capacity of the grid.
Funding Information
The check will normally be done for the coordinator if the requested grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000, except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (lowvalue grant).
Expected Outcomes
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Contribute to the implementation of the REPowerEU Plan, in particular to i) diversify gas supplies via higher levels of sustainable bio-methane (mainly based on organic waste and agricultural residues) and green hydrogen, and ii) speed up Europe’s path to independence from fossil fuels by increasing the share of renewable energy (electricity, heat and fuels) in the European energy consumption.
- Increase the roll-out of local or regional renewable energy system solutions for electricity, heat and fuel needs and contribute to their market up-take in Europe.
- Create new sustainable jobs linked to local or regional renewable energy system value chains and enhance economic growth in local or regional European communities.
- Enhance security and autonomy of local or regional energy supply in EU Member States/Associated countries in current and future climate conditions.
- Increase the readiness, reliability, performance and affordability of local or regional renewable energy system solutions in Europe.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States;
-
eligible non-EU countries:
- countries associated to Horizon Europe;
- low- and middle-income countries.
For more information, visit European Commission.