H European Commission approved amendments to a Greek plan, including a €600m budget increase, to support non-household electricity consumers in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The amendments have been approved under the temporary framework for state aid for crisis and transition, which was adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors that are key to accelerating the green transition and reducing fuel dependency .

The new Framework partially modifies and extends the Temporary Framework for the Crisiswhich was adopted on 23 March 2022, to allow Member States to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and 28 October 2022.

The Commission approved the original scheme on 3 October 2022. Greece notified the following amendments to the original scheme: (a) an overall budget increase of EUR 600 million, (b) adjustment of aid ceilings for limited aid amounts and (c) extension of the period during which the limited amounts of aid can be granted until 31 December 2023.

The Commission found that the aid scheme, as amended, is in line with the conditions set out in the temporary crisis and transition framework. In particular, the aid (a) will not exceed 250,000 euros per company active in the primary production of agricultural products, 300,000 euros per company active in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and 2 million euros per company active in all others sectors and (b) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023.

The Commission concluded that the amended regime remains necessary, appropriate and proportionate to deal with a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in accordance with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the amended regime under EU State aid rules.