The European Commission has consented to a German scheme worth around EUR 3 billion designed to foster the development of the Hydrogen Core Network (HCN).  This will play a significant role in realizing the goals of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the ‘Fit for 55’ package by facilitating the establishment of a hydrogen transmission infrastructure. It is a milestone for promoting the utilization of renewable hydrogen in sectors with high energy consumption like industry and transport.

As announced in January, BLOMSTEIN is publishing a series of briefings introducing into European and German legal defence matters. In our last briefing, we gave an overview over EU funding opportunities for defence and security projects and focused specifically on the legal remedies available against grant allocation decisions in the context of EU defence funding.

This edition is on new funding opportunities for the defence and security sector provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB, an institution of the European Union, stands as one of the foremost financiers of climate-related initiatives. Since its inception in 1958, the EIB has extended loans and expert advice to thousands of projects across more than 160 countries. The EIB is dedicated to promoting sectors that significantly enhance growth, employment, regional cohesion, and environmental sustainability within Europe and globally. Recognizing the increasing importance of security in Europe, the EIB has revised its statutes this year to explicitly incorporate security-related activities within the scope of its financing capabilities.

As announced in January, BLOMSTEIN is publishing a series of briefings introducing into European and German legal defence matters. In our last briefing, we gave an overview over the legal framework for joint procurements in the fields of defence and security.

This edition EU funding opportunities for defence and security projects and focuses specifically on the legal remedies available against grant allocation decisions in the context of EU defence funding.

Since 12 October 2023, the notification obligations under the EU’s new Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) have been in force. Meanwhile, a number of cases were notified to the European Commission (Commission) and practical experience gathered. The Commission has recently announced its first in-depth investigation concerning a Chinese railway company. This case shows that the Commission is determined to use its new powers under the FSR. This briefing summarizes once again companies' obligations pursuant to the FSR and provides some practical guidance from the first months of application.

Die Europäische Kommission hat wichtige Änderungen der De-minimis-Beihilfenregelungen vorgenommen, die seit Januar 2024 in Kraft sind. Mit den Änderungen ist insbesondere eine Anhebung der Schwellenwerte verbunden, unterhalb derer staatliche Beihilfe nicht der Genehmigung der Kommission bedürfen.

Das neue Jahr hat einige Neuerungen im Energie- und Stromsteuerrecht gebracht. Das besonders stromintensive produzierende Gewerbe kann angesichts der gestiegenen Strompreise nun von einer deutlichen Steuerentlastung (in Form einer erhöhten Entlastung) profitieren. Im Gegenzug wurde der Spitzenausgleich im Energie- und Stromsteuerrecht abgeschafft, der aber ohnehin nur große Industriekonzerne begünstigte. Die neu eingeführte Stromsteuerentlastung betrifft dagegen gerade auch den Mittelstand. Außerdem sind die Steuerentlastungen für die Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung und die Steuerbegünstigungen für Strom aus bestimmten Biomassen sowie aus Klär- und Deponiegas weggefallen. Schließlich wurde die Meldeschwelle für Unternehmen, die Beihilfen in Form von Vergünstigungen bei der Energie- und Stromsteuer erhalten, gesenkt. Diese Neuerungen werden im Folgenden erläutert.

On July 12, the first of three instruments of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) entered into force. As of this date, the Commission is entitled to initiate investigations into third country subsidies that distort the internal market either on its own initiative or based on a complaint by a third-party (so-called ex officio tool). Later this year, the notification-based instruments for mergers and bids in procurement procedures will enter into force on October 12. Then, companies exceeding the thresholds set by the FSR in the relevant market situations will be required to notify financial contributions granted by third countries to the Commission. Just in time for the entry into force of the ex officio tool, the Commission adopted the Implementing Regulation on July 10, which provides procedural information but also has a direct impact on the scope and interpretation of the FSR. The Commission also responded to the significant criticism raised by companies and associations, particularly with regard to the high administra-tive burden triggered by the FSR.

Am 6. Juni 2023 hat das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK) das vorbereitende Verfahren für das milliardenschwere Förderprogramm „Klimaschutzverträge“ eingeleitet (Bekanntmachung im BAnz AT 06.06.2023 B1). Diese sog. Klimaschutzverträge – und die daraus resultierende Förderung – haben das Ziel, Unternehmen bei der Umstellung auf eine klimafreundlichere Produktion zu unterstützen und diese somit attraktiver zu machen. Das Programm ist ein wesentlicher Baustein auf dem Weg in Richtung der angestrebten Klimaneutralität Deutschlands. Eine Teilnahme am vorbereitenden Verfahren ist zwingende Grundvoraussetzung für eine Teilnahme am anschließenden Gebotsverfahren sowie eine Bewerbung für die staatliche Förderung. Die Frist für die Teilnahme am vorbereitenden Verfahren endet am 7. August 2023.

At the beginning of February, the European Commission (Commission) presented its Green Deal Industrial Plan, a package of measures designed to help the EU industry to make progress in the transition to climate neutrality and strengthen its position in global competition.

On 6 February, the European Commission (Commission) published a draft Implementing Regulation on detailed arrangements for the conduct of proceedings pursuant to the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) including relevant notification forms. Interested parties have the possibility to provide the Commission with feedback on the draft regulation until 6 March 2023 via an online portal.