Apply for EEA’s renewables, energy efficiency grants for Romania, Bulgaria

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, firms and nonprofits in Romania have EUR 4.6 million available in grants for renewable energy projects, and Bulgarian municipal authorities and government institutions can apply for a total of EUR 10.7 million for energy efficiency in buildings.

Norway Grants issued a public call for public and private entities such as companies and nongovernmental organizations within the Energy Programme in Romania. They can apply by September 8 for cofunding of renewable energy projects with the exception of hydropower and geothermal energy, as the two segments are in separate calls for grants.

The grant can be between EUR 200,000 and EUR 2 million and cover 10% to 90% of the investment. Total budget is EUR 4.6 million.

Romanian program covers waste-to-energy, solar power, wind power projects

Most points will be awarded to cooperation with entities from the donor states – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, but domestic partnerships will also be encouraged, according to the announcement.

Romanian developers of solar and wind energy projects with up to 1 MW in capacity are eligible for the current round of Norway Grants

The package covers the production of electricity and heating and cooling from food, agricultural and other waste and energy crops. Developers of solar and wind energy projects with up to 1 MW in capacity can also apply, and self-consumption energy investments are eligible for grants as well. The funding can be used for training staff.

Norway Grants and EEA Grants are segments of the EEA Financial Mechanism. Its beneficiaries are in the countries with a gross national income (GNI) per capita that is below 90% of the European Union average.

EEA Grants to provide as much as 100% of investment costs for energy efficiency in buildings in Bulgaria

In neighboring Bulgaria, the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security Programme launched a call for proposals directed at municipal authorities and government institutions which intend to conduct energy efficiency projects for near zero or zero energy buildings. The scheme is funded by EEA Grants.

The structures should be upgraded to class A in terms of primary energy consumption. At least 55% of energy for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water for domestic use and lighting must be from renewable sources located on the site or nearby.

The energy efficiency grants are aimed at achieving annual energy savings of 117 GWh and cash savings in the amount of EUR 8 million per year. The overall target capacity for heating, cooling and hot water supply in the EUR 10.7 million project is 5 MW.

Grants will range from EUR 200,000 to EUR 1.2 million. They can cover as much as 100% of eligible expenditure. Beneficiaries can get advance payments of up to 30% of the total grant amount.

The duration of each project is limited at 24 months since the grant agreement enters into force, but no later than the end of April 2024. The deadline for applications is November 10.