EU approves Italy’s €450mn renewable hydrogen support scheme

The Italian government will provide grants of up to €20mn to integrated renewables and hydrogen production projects on brownfield sites

The European Commission has approved Italy’s €450mn ($490mn) support scheme for renewable hydrogen projects under its Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. Italy will provide grants of up to €20mn to cover investment costs for integrated renewables and hydrogen production plants on brownfield sites, with a focus on former industrial areas in the south of the country. Projects will be selected via a competitive bidding process, with credit and financial institutions ineligible to receive grants. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security plans to award first contracts early this year, and the Commission notes that state aid must be allocated before 2025 to qualify under the fram