New Subsidies for Photovoltaics & Co. with "Made in Europe" Bonus

The funding for renewable energies will be made available this year to the extent of the legally stipulated minimum, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Tuesday evening. This means that 70 million euros are available for investment grants.

Photovoltaic and Electricity Storage Funding with "Made in Europe" Bonus

However, a bonus of up to 20 percent is planned for photovoltaic and electricity storage projects, provided that European components are used. This bonus is intended to support European value creation. From an Austrian perspective, the know-how in the field of inverters and battery storage is particularly noteworthy.

The bonus will come into effect with the second funding call on June 23, 2025. "It stands for regional value creation and a clear commitment to the European industrial location," noted Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP).

Both the SPÖ, the PRO-GE union, and the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) welcomed this initiative: SPÖ energy spokesman Alois Schroll noted in a statement that this fulfills a long-standing demand of the SPÖ. And for Reinhold Binder, federal chairman of PRO-GE, the "Made in Europe" bonus is also about ensuring that tax money benefits primarily Austrian production sites and thus domestic jobs, rather than promoting the already subsidized production in Asia. Andreas Mörk, managing director of the WKÖ federal division for industry, also expressed his satisfaction with the measure. It promotes domestic value creation and makes a "contribution to resilience, independence, and diversification."

First Funding Call Open Immediately for Two Weeks

The first funding call for the promotion of photovoltaic systems opens today, Wednesday, for two weeks. The next funding calls will be from June 23 and from October 8. A total of 60 million euros in funding is available this year for photovoltaic systems. The funding amounts to between 130 and 160 euros per kWp depending on the maximum output of the PV system, and 150 euros per kWh for electricity storage.

Hydropower plants up to 25 megawatts will be supported with a total of 5 million euros. The funding calls are planned here from April 29, June 24, and September 23. From April 28 and September 1, applications for funding for wind power plants can be submitted. The investment grants for wind power plants up to 1 megawatt total 1 million euros and for biomass plants up to 50 kilowatts, 4 million euros. The funding calls for the latter start on May 7 and September 10.

PV Funding in the Future Only in Combination with Storage

"We need to use public funds more targeted and effectively," stated State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner (ÖVP). "Therefore, we are gradually aligning funding policy more towards system utility and efficiency."

Significant changes will therefore be brought by the EAG amendment in the fourth quarter of 2025. There will be no funding in the event of negative market prices. In the future, PV funding will only be available in combination with storage. Instead of rigid premium models, efficient use of funds is planned. The focus will also be on hybrid power plant models. The amendment will also address the reduction of bureaucracy and the removal of little-used instruments, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.