European Commission approves 259 million Euro state aid scheme to support Romania’s investments in batteries, photovoltaic cells and panels

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a 259 million Euro Romanian scheme, made available in part through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF’), to support investments in the production, assembly and recycling of batteries, of photovoltaic cells and of panels. The scheme aims at supporting Romania’s regional development and fostering the EU’s strategic objectives relating to the green transition.

The scheme, with an estimated budget of 259 million Euro, will be partly funded through the RRF following the Commission’s positive assessment of the Romanian Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council. The measure aims to: (i) contribute to regional development by targeting sectors with growing demand, which will support the creation of new jobs that require a skilled workforce, as well as a more sustainable and competitive economy, and (ii) foster Romania’s and the EU’s green transition.

Under the scheme, which will run until 31 December 2024, the aid will take the form of direct grants to companies active in the production, assembly and recycling of batteries, photovoltaic cells, and panels, which are located in Romania’s areas eligible for regional aid. These areas are determined in the Romanian regional aid map for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, which specifies also the maximum State aid that can be granted per beneficiary in each of these areas.

“This 259 million Euro Romanian scheme, partially funded via the Recovery and Resilience Facility, will provide key support to the production of batteries, photovoltaic cells, and panels. The measure approved today will promote the economic development of the most disadvantaged areas in Romania, in line with the Union’s cohesion objectives, while contributing to the acceleration of the green transition,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy.