1. Thematic workshop 2 – Smart Energy Systems Brussels, 8 November 2013
Introduction: Energy technologies – SET-Plan and its follow-up and regional energy needs
Thematic workshop 2 – Smart Energy Systems Brussels, 8 November 2013
Maud Skäringer
European Commission
DG Regional and Urban Policy

2. Overall context: EU Funding for Sustainable Energy – Proposals for 2014-2020
Cohesion Policy to allocate some 23 billion € (estimate!) to investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart distribution grids and urban mobility, including research and innovation in those areas in complementarity with Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020: Some 5.6 billion € to be allocated to research and innovation in "Secure, clean and efficient energy"
Connecting Europe Facility: Some 5.8 billion € to be allocated to investments in TEN-E infrastructure of highest European added value
Other European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
LIFE+ and COSME also relevant for certain aspects

3. Concentration of ERDF for 2014-2020*
Low-carbon economy
(energy efficiency,
renewable energy, smart grids, urban mobility, related R&I)
Research and Innovation
SMEs competitiveness
ICT
Developed regions
Transition regions
Less developed regions
12%
20%
15%
60%
45 %
38%
* Current state of the trilogue negotiations 3

4. Implementation principles for Cohesion Policy Energy investments
Ensure that public funding complements private investments, leveraging it and not crowding it out
Energy Efficiency: consider creating value for energy savings through market mechanisms before public funding (energy saving obligations, energy service companies (ESCO)…)
Financial instruments to be used where potential for private revenue or cost savings is large
For physical investment, grants to be used primarily:
to address market failures
to support innovative technologies
to support investments beyond cost-optimal EE performance: ensure energy savings and GHG emission reductions above "business as usual"!

5. Smart Specialisation in the field of Sustainable Energy (I)
Research and innovation (R&I) in sustainable energy is key to achieving the EU climate and energy targets for 2020 and also the target for 2050 of a 85-90% reduction in CO2 emissions.
R&I in these areas also entails important opportunities for regional development. The objective of Cohesion Policy is to improve the regional economy in terms of competitiveness, growth and jobs. Therefore, it can only support research projects contributing to this objective. It cannot support projects for "purely" scientific purposes.

6. Smart Specialisation in the field of Sustainable Energy (II)
In assessing their position and assets in the context of the development and implementation of their smart specialisation strategies, MS and regions are invited to make full use of the knowledge developed in the framework of the SET-Plan
In concrete terms, include SET-Plan and Horizon 2020 actors in the strategy development:
SET-Plan Steering Group members, members of Horizon 2020 programme committee, researchers, EIT KIC InnoEnergy, European Energy Research Alliance, PPP on Energy-efficient Buildings, SPIRE PPP, other PPTs, JTIs, JUs, ETPs, EIPs, Marie Curie centres, research institutions with success in FP7, EUREKA …), … , and consult international networks (research AND business networks)

7. Smart Specialisation in the field of Sustainable Energy (III)
A significant number of regions can be expected to decide that they will focus Cohesion Policy resources for R&I in the area of renewable energy or energy efficiency.
However, all regions will invest significant Cohesion Policy resources in renewable energy and energy efficiency over Even if not themselves active in R&I in these areas, they are encouraged to follow the outcome of R&I efforts in other MS and regions (co-financed by Cohesion Policy, Horizon 2020, national public or private resources…) to make sure that their investments benefit from the latest state-of-the art knowledge.

8. What authorities and stakeholders can do
Guide issued in Nov. 2012
How to integrate eco- innovation, RES, EE… in the Smart Specialisation Strategies
Why it makes sense
What authorities and stakeholders can do
Complementarities with other EU initiatives and programmes, including FP7 / Horizon 2020
Collection of good practices

9. More information on Cohesion Policy support for Sustainable Energy
Cohesion Policy Project Examples:
Expert Evaluation Network reports on RES and EE in housing:
JESSICA horizontal (thematic) studies:
REGIO case study “Wave Hub” project, UK:
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REGIO case study “ERDF – Promotion of renewable energy sources in Burgenland”, AT:
COCOF technical meeting on sustainable energy March 2011:
Regions for Economic Change Conference May 2010 Energy efficiency workshop (2A):
Smart specialisation platform:
For end beneficiaries in period: Practical guide to EU funding opportunities for research and innovation:
Intelligent Energy Europe Projects:
ICT-specific guide on energy efficiency:

10. More information on financial instruments
Commission Staff Working Document - Financial Instruments in Cohesion Policy cial_instruments_2012_en.pdf
Factsheet: Financial Instruments in Cohesion Policy ments_en.pdf
Panorama Autumn 2012: Using financial instruments to leverage support for regional policy _en.pdf
Financial Instruments: A Stock-taking Exercise in Preparation for the Programming Period al.pdf