"Citizen Energy Companies" in Onshore Wind Energy
Grant for the planning and approval of onshore wind energy plants for locally operating citizen energy companies with a 70% funding rate up to a maximum of €300,000. Applications can be submitted via easy-Online from 01.07.2024 until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for citizen energy cooperatives with the high costs in the planning and approval phase for onshore wind turbines, in order to increase the share of local engagement in the energy transition.
Eligible expenses
- Preliminary planning costs (e.g. feasibility studies, site analyses, data collection, cost-effectiveness calculations)
- Costs for expert reports on zoning plan amendments
- Costs for legal and tax advisory services
Non-eligible expenses
- Investment in the construction and operation of the wind energy plant
- Public-law fees
- Costs for the establishment of the company
- Costs for service or employment relationships with persons involved in the company
- Own contributions and administrative costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- At least 15 natural persons with voting rights or shareholders
- At least 75% of voting rights held by natural persons residing within a 50 km radius of the location
- Non-natural voting rights only held by micro-enterprises, SMEs, or municipal authorities
- No person holds more than 10% of the voting rights
- Objective to establish as a citizen energy company according to § 3 EEG 2023
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Documents required for application
- Project description
- Quotes or preliminary contracts for service orders
- Proof of the company's existence (e.g., partnership agreement, commercial register excerpt)
- Proof of the company's liquidity
- De minimis declaration
- Self-declaration of own contribution
- If applicable, power of attorney
Evaluation criteria
- Fulfillment of funding requirements
- Completeness of application documents
Description
The funding program is aimed at locally operating citizen energy cooperatives according to § 3 EEG 2023, which wish to advance the planning and approval of onshore wind energy plants. Nationwide, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) provides a non-repayable grant through the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) with a funding rate of 70% – up to a maximum of €300,000 per project. During the project duration of up to 24 months, until 31.12.2026, all expenses for preliminary planning (feasibility studies, site analyses, profitability calculations), reports for land-use plan amendments, as well as legal and tax advisory services can be claimed, provided the plant capacity does not exceed 25 MW. Non-eligible costs include, among others, investments in construction and operation, founding costs, public-law fees, in-kind contributions, and administrative expenses.
For applications starting 01.07.2024 via easy-Online, various documents are required: a detailed project description, offers or preliminary contracts for planning and approval services, proof of the cooperative’s existence and liquidity, a de minimis declaration, a self-declaration of the equity contribution, and, if applicable, a power of attorney. A prerequisite is a cooperative structure with at least 15 voting members or shareholders, where at least 75% of the voting rights are held by natural persons from within a 50 km radius, and no individual holds more than 10%. The complete submission of documents determines the funding decision. This instrument strengthens civic engagement and increases the municipal share in the energy transition.
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