Commission awards ECU 140 million to the support of energy technology in Europe
The European Commission has awarded funding of some ECU 140 million to energy technology projects and accompanying measures approved under the Community's specific RTD programme in the field of non-nuclear energy (JOULE/THERMIE) in 1997. A total of 134 energy technology projects and 183 accompanying measures were selected for funding under the THERMIE programme (the demonstration component of the JOULE/THERMIE programme) in 1997. The aim of these projects is to improve energy security by ensuring reliable and sustainable energy supplies at affordable cost, and to protect the environment by reducing the impact of the production and use of energy. The accompanying measures include demonstration of commercial-scale energy technology projects, as well as promotion and dissemination of information and project results. The projects selected are in the fields of rational use of energy, fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The demonstration projects provide immediate and short term support for important policy concerns such as reduction of environmental hazards, especially CO2 emissions, increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promoting sustainable growth. The participants in these projects, include utilities, local authorities, companies (the majority of which are SMEs) and universities from all Member States.