Innovation Fund 2024 Auction - Fixed Premium Auction for RFNBO hydrogen production for the maritime sector
The Innovation Fund 2024 Auction offers EU action grants specifically for the production of Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) hydrogen targeting the maritime sector. This auction-based call, managed by CINEA, aims to accelerate Europe's decarbonization by bridging the cost-gap with fossil hydrogen and fostering industrial leadership in the hydrogen economy. It stands out by directly supporting the scale-up and deployment of innovative low-carbon hydrogen technologies for sustainable shipping.
Who is Funded
This program supports legal entities located in EU Member States or EEA countries to produce Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) hydrogen, specifically targeting its use in the maritime sector. The overarching objective is to accelerate Europe's decarbonization by bridging the cost-gap with fossil hydrogen and enhancing security of supply and industrial leadership in the hydrogen economy.
What is Funded
The program funds the installation of new, additional RFNBO hydrogen production capacity and the certified production of RFNBO hydrogen for up to 10 years, with a specific focus on supplying the maritime sector. Projects must adhere to strict sourcing limits for electrolyser stacks from China and ensure operational control within the EU/EEA.
Type and Scope of Funding
This initiative provides grants based on a fixed premium auction model, offering a unit grant per kilogram of RFNBO hydrogen produced. The grant duration can extend up to 15 years, supporting projects from financial close through 10 years of operation.
Conditions and Requirements
Applicants must meet specific admissibility and eligibility criteria, including financial and operational capacity. The program mandates compliance with EU policy interests, specific electrolyser sourcing limits, and requires a completion guarantee to prevent speculative bids. Certain combinations of public support are prohibited to ensure fair conditions.
Application Procedure
The application process is a single-stage online submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals are evaluated based on admissibility, eligibility, operational capacity, and award criteria, with successful bids ranked primarily by price.
Legal Basis
The program is founded on the EU regulatory framework, notably the EU Financial Regulation, the Innovation Fund Regulation, and the ETS Directive, alongside specific Commission decisions that authorize this particular call.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Closed
Maximum Amount:
The grant reimburses a fixed amount per unit based on the bid price, up to a maximum bid price of 4,00 EUR/kg of RFNBO hydrogen produced. The requested grant amount per project is calculated as [Bid price in EUR/kg] * [expected average yearly volume of production in kg/year] * [10 years].
Allocated Budget:
Total budget for this specific call topic: 200,000,000 EUR. Total call budget: 1,200,000,000 EUR.
Open Until:
Ongoing
Award Channel:
Competitive Tender
Region:
EU, EEA (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
Sectors:
Renewable Energy, Transportation and Logistics
Application Type:
Optional Consortium
Funding Stages:
Scaling, Implementation, Product Development
Funding Provider
Program Level:
European Union
Funding Body:
European Commission
Managed By:
European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
Website: