Funding for the New Construction and Revitalization of Small Hydropower Plants
Funding for investments in the construction, expansion, and revitalization of small hydropower plants in Upper Austria. Applications possible until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support of the Upper Austrian Energy Strategy 2030 through the expansion of ecologically sustainable electricity generation from small hydropower plants up to 2 MW bottleneck capacity.
Eligible expenses
- Construction and building costs
- Installation and expansion costs
- Revitalization costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Self-built systems
- Prototypes
- Used systems
- Systems with market price remuneration
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Application before the first legally binding order, delivery, start of construction or other commitment
- Complete approvals and inspection certificates for the construction are available
- Positive assessment of the application by the OeMAG processing office
- Full recognition and compliance with the 2022 funding guidelines for environmental promotion in Upper Austria as well as the General Funding Guidelines of the State of Upper Austria
- Commitment to a ten-year operational obligation of the funded facility
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Documents required for application
- Application form Upper Austria
- Copy of the application to OeMAG
- Funding commitment from OeMAG
- Recognition notice according to § 7 ÖSG (at the latest upon commissioning)
- Technical description
- Invoices and payment confirmations (copy)
- Final accounting sheet of the State of Upper Austria
- Final accounting sheet of OeMAG
- Disbursement letter from OeMAG
- Required approval, authorization, and inspection notices
Evaluation criteria
- Incentive effect according to GBER
- Positive assessment by OeMAG
- Compliance with funding guidelines
- Technical criteria of OeMAG
Description
In Upper Austria, the state promotes the expansion and revitalization of small hydropower plants with a capacity of up to 2 MW to support the goals of the Upper Austrian Energy Strategy 2030 and to strengthen ecologically sustainable electricity generation. Funding is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises planning new construction, expansion, or modernization of their plants and simultaneously applying for investment support for green electricity through the OeMAG clearing office. The grant covers up to 50% of eligible expenses – construction, installation, and revitalization costs – and is limited to a maximum of 200,000 euros per plant. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2026, at the latest (subject to budget availability).
A prerequisite for funding is compliance with the funding guidelines of the State of Upper Austria and the “AGVO” with a positive decision from OeMAG, as well as proof of complete approvals before construction begins. A ten-year operational obligation ensures the sustainable benefit of the measure, while self-built plants, prototypes, used units, or concurrent state subsidies are excluded. Evaluation is based on incentive effect, technical assessment, and compliance with formal requirements. The following documents must be attached to the application: the official form of the State of Upper Austria, a copy of the OeMAG application and approval, recognition notice according to § 7 ÖSG, technical description, invoices with proof of payment, as well as final accounting sheets from the State of Upper Austria and OeMAG.