Brussels, 13 February 2023
The European Commission has approved a €116 million Belgian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), recognising that the EU economy is experiencing a serious disturbance.
The scheme will be open to companies of all sizes active in certain energy-sensitive sectors that are affected by the current geopolitical crisis. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The aid amount per eligible beneficiary will not exceed 30% of its additional energy costs incurred in 2022 compared to 2021, up to a maximum of 100,000€.
The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2 million per company for energy cost increases; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023. The Commission therefore concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.
More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.106234 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission