In January 2008, the European Commission published new Community Guidelines for State aid for Environmental Protection. These guidelines replaced those issued in 2001, and the new guidelines will be applicable until 31 December 2014.
Within the 2008 guidelines the aid intensities have increased and intensities of up to 60% for large enterprises and up to 80% for small enterprises may be available dependent on the nature of the project. Contrary to the 2001 guidelines there is no longer a bonus for aid to assisted areas or for renewable energy installations serving the needs of an entire community.
There is an important link between the new guidelines and the future General Block Exemption, which is to be adopted by the Commission before the summer break. The block exemption will relieve Member States from the obligation to notify certain aid measures to the Commission, and reduce the administration burden. It is foreseen that certain types of environmental aid under a certain amount will not be notified to the Commission in the future.
The Commission has also provided a paper on the most frequently asked questions on the new guidelines, which is very useful.