The Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Program has just launched a request for proposals for large-scale green tech projects based in the European Union. The request will trigger investments in a portfolio of high-potential projects in the areas of clean hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, direct air capture, and long-duration energy storage. Each euro of public funds is expected to leverage three euros of private funds.

During the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), held in Glasgow on 31 October – 13 November 2021, a pioneering partnership that will boost investment in critical climate technology projects across the European Union has been formalized. The partnership will bring together the public and private sectors to invest in large-scale demonstration projects and expects to mobilize €820 million in climate investment between 2022 and 2027, targeted toward the European Green Deal and the EU’s 2030 Climate Target Plan.

To operationalize this collaboration, the Catalyst has now launched a request for proposals to identify and select emerging climate technology projects based in the European Union for project-level financing. Successful proposals selected by the Catalyst from this Call will be considered by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank to receive blended financing managed under the InvestEU Programme.

Overview and Scope

The Catalyst invites responses from projects located in the European Union across the following four technology sectors: clean hydrogen, direct air capture, sustainable aviation fuel, and long-duration energy storage. The Call is expected to remain open for submissions until 31 December 2027 (or until all funds are fully committed). All respondents seeking funding in the first half of 2023 must submit their proposals by 13 May 2022. To facilitate the process, an info webinar will be held on 25 January 2021, to address questions related to the Call.