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Multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels (CARNOT), 1998-2002

 
The Carnot programme was established within the multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (ENERGY-FP C), 1998-2002 adopted by Decision 1999/21/EC Euratom, for the promotion of solid fuel technologies.

Solid fuels, available in the Community and the ready, abundant, diverse sources of hard coal traded worldwide ensure that they are and will remain a low-cost energy source. The development of clean and efficient solid fuel use is desirable for many reasons. Specifically, and with respect to improving the quality of the environment, it can contribute to the diversification of primary energy resources, but it can also help reduce pollutant emissions, and combat acidification, reduce greenhouse gases and the danger of global climate change.

The promotion and exploitation of clean solid fuel technologies also offers economic advantages in terms of employment opportunities with companies in the Community operating on a worldwide basis and can promote the uptake of technologies developed with financing from the specific RTD non-nuclear energy programme.

To promote the use of clean and efficient technologies to plants using solid fuels in order to limit emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions, from such use; and encourage the development of advanced clean solid fuel technologies in order to achieve improved best available technologies (BAT) at affordable cost
Two categories of actions on clean solid fuel technologies will be financed under the Carnot programme:

- measures to foster cooperation aimed at promoting better market and technical information between national, Community and international activities through the development of appropriate means for exchanging information, helping to remove barriers and evaluating the impact of the various actions planned under the programme. These measures will be funded at between 50 and 100 % of their total cost;

- measures to foster industrial strategic cooperation, such as business workshops and seminars, industrial on-site visits, studies, evaluations and concertation groupings, aimed at promoting the industrial exploitation of clean technologies for energy purposes, for example combined heat and power production. This will include the promotion of exports of European clean solid fuel technology. These measures will be funded at 30 and 50% of their total cost.

The Carnot programme will be implemented by the Commission with assistance of a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by a Commission representative. Examination and external assessment of the implementation of the programme will be carried out in accordance with the provisions in Article 5 of Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom, adopting a mutliannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002).

The Carnot programme is open to associated Central and East European countries in accordance with the conditions, including financial provisions, laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements or in the Association Agreements themselves relating to participation in Community programmes. The Carnot programme is also open to Cyprus on the basis of additional appropriations, under the same rules as those applied to the EFTA/EEA countries, in accordance with procedures to be agreed with that country.