On August 8, 2023, the government adopted a financial support program for energy-intensive enterprises entitled: "Aid for energy-intensive industries related to natural gas and electricity prices in 2023."
The program aims to slightly mitigate the effects of rising electricity and gas prices and help maintain business continuity while preserving jobs.
According to the program, entrepreneurs will be able to apply for basic or increased assistance.
Basic aid will be available to any energy-intensive entrepreneur operating in the industrial sector, and enhanced aid will be available to those operating in sectors particularly vulnerable to loss of competitiveness.
Basic aid will be paid in two rounds – for the first and second half of 2023 in the form of a refund, while increased aid will be paid in the form of an advance payment for the entire year 2023.
To receive financial support, an entrepreneur should submit an appropriate application along with the required documents.
The application must be accompanied by:
a) certificates of no arrears in the payment of taxes and contributions;
b) powers of attorney to represent the applicant, if applicable;
c) a summary of accounting documents confirming the costs reported in the application;
d) a report from the beneficiary presenting the assumptions, evidence and calculations of the costs of purchasing natural gas and electricity and compliance with the program conditions;
e) an independent auditor’s report on the performance of an assurance service regarding the assessment of the above report;
f) information on whether the applicant and related entities have received state aid under section 2.4 of the European Commission’s “TCTF” or “TCF” guidelines (e.g. the “Aid to energy-intensive industries related to sudden increases in natural gas and electricity prices in 2022” programme) or section 2.1 “TCTF” or “TCF”;
g) information on whether they have received de minimis state aid or aid based on the Temporary Framework in the context of COVID-19 for the same eligible costs.
The planned start of the call for applications is the second half of August 2023 after receiving notification from the European Commission.
Entrepreneurs will have 14 days (from the date the call is announced) to submit these applications. Applications will be signed with a qualified signature.
According to the information provided, the funds will be paid within two months of the start of the recruitment process.
As a law firm, we offer support throughout the entire process of submitting and subsequently settling the application.
For more information, please contact us.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
