Financial support for 137 energy technology projects under THERMIE programme
The Commission of the European Communities, by a Decision of 20.7.1993 is to provide support of ECU 129 million to 137 energy technology projects under the THERMIE programme for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (1990-1994). The funding is allocated as follows: - 41 projects in the rational use of energy sector (ECU 44.7 million); - 50 projects in the renewable energy sector (ECU 32.3 million); - 9 projects in the solid fuels sector (ECU 23.8 million); - 37 projects in the hydrocarbons sector (ECU 28.3 million). A further Commission Decision concerning ECU 11 million support for solid fuels projects may be made later in 1993. In the sector "Rational use of energy" the Commission Decision includes large European collaborative projects in the buildings and transport sub-sectors designed to have a major impact on energy and the environment in the EEC. Three such projects are: Total mobilization of C02 reduction potentials in residential building stock by optimized energetic rehabilitation (Germany and the Netherlands); Joint Urban Project In Transport Energy Reduction, JUPITER (UK, Belgium and Denmark); energy savings in transport through innovation in the cities of Europe, ENTRANCE project (Germany, UK, Greece). The THERMIE programme is designed to bring new energy technologies to the market place. The financial support available helps overcome commercial and technical risks associated with projects at the forefront of innovation. THERMIE also aims to encourage joint ventures between European industries and strengthen their competitiveness on the world market. Projects that prove successful will save energy, provide additional energy supplies, improve the environment by reducing pollutant emissions such as C02 and generate investment and employment opportunities. Since THERMIE started in 1990, more than ECU 415 million have been awarded to over 520 new and innovative energy technology projects.