(Finance) – Strengthen the lines of action of development contracts to support business investments throughout the country and industrial projects which, through the electrification of production processes and the use of hydrogen, make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption.
By decree of Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, the destination of the 2 billion euros of the Fund for development and cohesion (FSC 2021-2027), assigned by Cipees to Put, to finance an additional 101 projects to be carried out, 80% in the South and 20% in the Center – North, as required by European legislation.
In particular – reads the note released by the MiSE – 1.5 billion euros are dedicated to applications for development contracts already submitted with the ordinary procedure, while 500 million euros will finance new projects for industrial revitalization.
To these resources add those allocated by the Government in the decree law “Aid bis”: 40 million in 2022, 400 million in 2023, 12 million for each year from 2024 to 2030, with the aim of unlocking further projects.
The provision also introduced simplifications on the functioning of this important industrial policy instrument of the Ministry of Economic Development, in order to speed up the administrative process of granting concessions to businesses (fast-track).
“We have seen that the development contracts have a positive and highly productive impact for our industry “, Giorgetti declares. “For this reason, as Mise we have invested heavily in this instrument, asking for refinancing several times. Development contracts – adds the minister – set in motion a virtuous path that sees the multiplication of private investments encouraged by financial concessions with positive repercussions also for the public finance I believe that development agreements, also in the future, represent a fundamental way for our economy and for the innovation of the Italian industry which can become increasingly competitive “.
In support of the country’s economy and productive fabric, which have been affected by the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, Minister Giorgetti has also signed the decree that applies the provisions of the temporary framework adopted by the European Commission to development contracts.
Provides a favorable state aid regime for business projects which, by not leading to an increase in overall production capacity, allow for a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities that currently rely on fossil fuels as a source of energy or raw material or a substantial reduction in energy consumption in industrial activities and processes.
They will therefore be facilitated industrial investments which pursue one of the following objectives: the reduction of at least 40% of direct greenhouse gas emissions, through the electrification of production processes or the use of renewable hydrogen and electrolytic hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, or the reduction at least 20% of the energy consumption in relation to the subsidized activities. A subsequent ministerial provision will establish the terms for submitting applications.
“I am satisfied with the further result obtained in favor of companies damaged by the effects of the war, which will now be able to count on other measures that facilitate programs and innovations for environmental protection”, underlines Giorgetti. “By joining forces and using the tools in a different way at our disposal, we are able to better support our industry in a particularly difficult period, caught between the negative effects of the conflict in Ukraine and expensive energy ”, concludes the minister.
The decrees – concludes the note – were sent to the Court of Auditors for registration.