The European Commission is releasing a new Call for Preparatory Studies for Cross-Border Renewable Energy Projects. The call provides a funding of €1,000,000.
The objective of this call is to support preparatory studies pursuant to Article 7(3) of the CEF Regulation, e.g. to develop and identify CB RES projects. Such studies can assist project promoters in selecting the best project concept and setting up the cooperation agreement, allowing for projects to be supported prior to having acquired the official status of a CB RES project (CB RES status).
The following list details examples of the type of activities anticipated:
pre-feasibility studies, used to start exploring (mainly through desktop studies) the possible geographical sites;
exploratory tasks to assess the overall cost and benefits of the project, including cost of energy generation, system integration, cost of support, greenhouse gas emissions, security of supply, air and other local pollution, innovation;
analysis of wider system-related aspects e.g. aspects of market and grid integration, grid financing aspects, the integration of additional storage investments, or of transport and/or digital related investments for synergetic elements;
identification of possible financing sources, assessing the potential for Power Purchase Agreements (PPA);
communication and stakeholder involvement activities;
cooperation activities between Member States, including the assessment of cost-benefit sharing.
Projects can last up to 24 months. Extensions may be possible if duly justified and requested through an amendment.
Applications are open until the 10th of January 2023.
More information is available here.