Support for investments to manage structural change and secure employment in connection with the phase-out of hard coal-fired power generation at the Wilhelmshaven site (Structural Aid Guidelines WHV)
If you plan to carry out investment projects to manage structural change in Wilhelmshaven or neighboring municipalities, you may be eligible for a grant under certain conditions.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The state of Lower Saxony supports the structural transformation at the Wilhelmshaven site with federal funds following the cessation of hard coal power generation. Investments aimed at improving the economic infrastructure are funded, such as land acquisition, energy-efficient renovation, transport infrastructure, public welfare, urban development, digitalization, tourism infrastructure, research, climate and environmental protection, as well as nature conservation. The goal is to secure employment and create new economic added value in the region.
Eligible expenses
- Investments in business-related infrastructure
- Acquisition and preparation of land
- Energy-efficient renovation
- Planning and construction costs
- Technical inspections
Non-eligible expenses
- Investments in public transport routes in economically related infrastructure
- Transport investments in the area of federal, state, and municipal roads
- Non-investive measures
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Eligible to apply are the city of Wilhelmshaven, the directly adjacent municipalities of Sande, Schortens, Wangerland, and the district of Friesland
- Legal entities pursuing tax-privileged purposes or not aimed at profit-making
- In case of involvement of commercial enterprises, the share of municipal and/or tax-privileged participants must predominate
Documents required for application
- Text of the RL Structural Aid Wilhelmshaven (PDF)
- Application form (PDF)
- Instructions for application submission (PDF)
- Documents for construction-related review (PDF)
- Decree guideline amendment 1.1.2024 (PDF)
- Decree guideline amendment 20.06.2024 (PDF)
Evaluation criteria
- Creation and retention of jobs and training positions in the funding area
- Diversification of the economic structure and improvement of location attractiveness
- Usability of investments considering future demographic developments
- Compatibility of investments with sustainability goals
Description
The WHV Structural Aid supports investment measures in Wilhelmshaven and the surrounding municipalities to actively manage the structural transformation following the end of hard coal power generation and to secure jobs. This funding program assists public institutions and tax-privileged organizations with projects aimed at improving the economic infrastructure, for example in the areas of land acquisition, energy-efficient renovation, digitalization, traffic optimization, urban development, as well as climate and environmental protection.
With a grant share of up to 90% of the eligible total expenses, the program contributes to sustainably shaping the transition to future-proof economic structures. Key criteria include the preservation of jobs and training positions, a diversified economic structure, and compatibility with sustainability and climate protection goals. Applications must be submitted prior to the start of the project, requiring detailed documentation and professional evaluations.