Brussels, 21 February 2025
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €122 million (DKK 910 million) Danish scheme to reduce CO2 emissions in the fishery and aquaculture sector.
The scheme is aimed at supporting large Danish fish-processing companies in reducing CO2 emissions stemming from their energy consumption, by investing in projects such as converting from fossil fuels to electricity, renewable district heating, or biomass. Under the scheme, which will run until 31 December 2029, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The aid amount will be calculated based on the tons of avoided CO2 during the first 10 years of the implementation of each project, covering up to 50% of the investment costs. Denmark expects that up to 50 fish-processing companies will implement projects reducing their CO2 emissions with support under the scheme.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for State aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to encourage the relevant investments. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish scheme under EU State aid rules.
Source – EU Commission