Overview
- EU competition officials unveiled the temporary framework Wednesday, allowing larger, faster subsidies through December for energy‑intensive industry, farming, fisheries and transport.
- Member states may now cover up to 70% of electricity costs for energy‑intensive firms, up from the previous 50% cap.
- Primary sectors can receive help with up to 70% of extra fuel and fertilizer costs, with simplified grants of up to €50,000 per beneficiary.
- The Commission cites a sharp jump in input costs, noting nitrogen fertilizer prices are about 61% above the 2024 average due to gas dependence and Middle East shipping risks near the Strait of Hormuz.
- National plans still require Commission approval, as shown by mid‑April’s sign‑off on Germany’s €3.8 billion scheme capping power at €0.05/kWh for half of annual use for roughly 9,500 firms.