Brussels, 13 February 2025
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €111.7 million Greek measure to support Motor Oil Hellas, a Greek refinery company, to produce renewable hydrogen. The measure will contribute to the decarbonization of the mobility and industrial sectors and will help kick-start the hydrogen market in Greece. The measure will be fully funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF’), following the Commission’s positive assessment of Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, and its adoption by the Council.
The measure will support Motor Oil Hellas in the implementation of its “Green Hydrogen” project. The project concerns the installation of an electrolyser with a target capacity of 50 MW, which will operate with energy from renewable sources. The renewable hydrogen will be used for different purposes, such as for mobility and other industrial applications (e.g. the production of sustainable fuels). The aid will take the form of a direct grant.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (‘CEEAG’). The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the production and supply of renewable hydrogen, in line with the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan. The Commission also found that the measure is proportionate, as: (i) the aid is limited to the minimum necessary, (ii) a claw-back mechanism will be triggered in case the project renders higher profits than foreseen, and (iii) it has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Greek measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.104899 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.