Apply for Breakthrough Energy Catalyst
The EU Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Partnership funds emerging climate technology projects with a potential to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but which are currently too expensive to roll out at scale and to compete with fossil fuel-based technologies; the so-called “green premium”. The projects are large-scale, pre-commercial demonstration projects or industrial scale “first-of-a-kind” projects for clean technologies.
The programme combines funds from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, the European Investment Bank and the European Commission, with a total budget of €840 million for the period 2023-2027. Investments are directed towards decarbonization projects that deliver on the European Green Deal ambitions and the EU’s 2030 climate targets.
Priority Areas for Decarbonisation
The EU Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Partnership supports EU-based projects within the following areas: clean hydrogen, long duration energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), direct air capture (DAC), and industrial decarbonization of cement, steel, plastics, textiles and fertilizers.
Who Can Apply
The programme targets all types of organisations based in Europe (EU Member States and associated countries to InvestEU), which are developing innovative technologies in the priority areas with high potential for deployment and scale-up.
Deadline
Applications for funding consideration can be submitted at any time until 31 December 2027 (subject to availability of funds). If your project is considered relevant for funding, you will be invited to commence a full due diligence phase which could take 6-9 months, depending on your project’s maturity. Thus, we suggest reaching out to us as soon as possible to secure our expert assistance in elaborating a compelling application.
More Info on the Groundbreaking Partnership
Types of projects
Demonstration Projects
Small projects that de-risk earlier-stage emerging technologies. TRL 5-7 and project size: ~€30M-100M
Large First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) Projects
Industrial scale projects focused on climate technology scale-up & market creation. TRL 6+ and project size: ~€100M-1B.
Project structure
Projects must demonstrate high technical maturity, usually after completing FEL 2 (Feasibility Study) and close to FEL 3 (Front-end Engineering Design).
Beneficiaries must demonstrate that the Business Plan is solid and credible, having advanced conversations with suppliers, offtakers and project sponsors.
Financial assistance
Demonstration projects are funded via Venture Debt from the EIB and Grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst (~50-60% of CAPEX).
FOAK projects are financed via Equity from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst (max. 49% of CAPEX, up to €75M), plus Quasi-Equity from EIB (max. 50% of total project costs).