Position on the revised Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (CEEAG)

On 7th June 2021, the European Commission (EC) published a communication on the revised Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).

Bitkom welcomes the new proposal, especially with regard to the twin green and digital transition under the European Green Deal. The Green Deal is an important and necessary step towards achieving the climate targets. In order to achieve the ambitious goals of reducing greenhouse gases, expanding renewable energies and increasing energy efficiency, it is important to facilitate aid regimes in these areas. This is the only way to increase the capacity of companies to invest in projects that contribute to achieve the ambitious goals of the EU.

There are, however, a number of points at which the proposed draft fails to address the situation of new, non-conventional energy-intensive users such as data centres, which conflicts with the principle of non-discrimination. In addition, more flexibility is needed to enable a greater uptake of renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). In this position paper, Bitkom comments in detail on the respective sections and paragraphs in the draft CEEAG.