Negotiations have begun for the 44 projects that were shortlisted to receive a share of the nearly €58 million available under the 2010 call for project proposals of the Intelligent Energy – Europe programme. These new projects are set to contribute to the wider use of renewable energy sources and increased levels of energy efficiency across Europe.
The 44 projects were shortlisted out of 349 proposals submitted by the call closing date last June. The proposals were tabled by some 3 000 organisations based in the 27 EU Member States as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Croatia. Nearly half of the applicants were small and medium sized enterprises, followed by a substantial number of public authorities and non-governmental organisations.
For the second year in a row, the number of projects in the field of transport has considerably increased. The negotiations for the 44 new projects will continue until March, when the first projects are expected to kick-off.
With €730 million funds available between 2007 and 2013, the Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) programme reinforces the EU’s efforts to meet its 2020 energy targets to ensure a secure and cost competitive supply of energy while fighting climate change. The programme runs annual calls for proposals and its funding covers up to 75% of the eligible project costs. To date, nearly 450 projects have been co-financed by the programme.