Activities of Evžen TOŠENOVSKÝ related to 2023/0081(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
Amendments (31)
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies, electricity and hydrogen based technologies for low-carbon steel, and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) In order to achieve Union's decarbonisation objectives, all clean technologies that do not emit CO2 should be taken into account. In this respect, nuclear power is an important source of energy that contibutes to reaching these objectives and therefore all nuclear technologies should be recognised among net-zero technologies such as existing and future technologies for energy generation (existing nuclear fleets, Gen III reactors, advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors) and related best-in-class fuels.
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) By defining CO2 storage sites that contribute to the Union’s 2030 target as net-zero strategic projects, the development of CO2 storage sites can be accelerated and facilitated, and the increasing industrial demand for storage sites can be channelled towards the most- cost-effective storage sites. An increasing volume of depleting gas and oil fields that could be converted in safe CO2 storage sites are at the end of their useful production lifetime. In addition, the oil and gas industry has affirmed its determination to embark on an energy transition and possesses the assets, skills and knowledge needed to explore and develop additional storage sites. To reach the Union’s target of 50 million tonnes of annual operational CO2 injection capacity by 2030, the sector needs to pool its contributions to ensure that carbon capture and storage as a climate solution is available ahead of demand. In order to ensure a timely, Union-wide and cost- effective development of CO2 storage sites in line with the EU objective for injection capacity, licensees of oil and gas production in the EU should contribute to this target pro rata of their oil and gas manufacturing capacity, while providing flexibilities to cooperate and take into account other contributions of third parties.
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Where private investment alone is not sufficient, the effective roll-out of net- zero manufacturing projects may require public support in the form of State aid. Such aid must have an incentive effect and be necessary, appropriate and proportionate. The existing State aid guidelines that have recently undergone an in-depth revision in line with the twin transition objectives provide ample possibilities to support investments for projects in the scope of this Regulation subject to certain conditions. Member States can have an important role in easing access to finance for net-zero technologies manufacturing projects by addressing market failures through targeted State aid support. The Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) adopted on 9 March 2023 aims at ensuring a level playing field within the internal market, targeted to those sectors where a third- country delocalisation risk has been identified, and proportionate in terms of aid amounts. It would enable Member States to put in place measures to support new investments in production facilities in defined, strategic net-zero sectors, including via tax benefits. The permitted aid amount can be modulated with higher aid intensities and aid amount ceilings if the investment is located in assisted areas, in order to contribute to the goal of convergence between Member States and regions. Appropriate conditions are required to verify the concrete risks of diversion of the investment outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and that there is no risk of relocation within the EEA. To mobilise national resources for that purpose, Member States may use a share of the ETS revenues that Member States have to allocate for climate-related purposeEU and national funds.
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) Member States can provide support from cohesion policy programmes in line with applicable rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 to encourage the take up of net-zero strategic projects in less developed and transition regions through investment packages of infrastructure, productive investment in innovation, manufacturing capacity in SMEs, services, training and upskilling measure, including support to capacity building of the public authorities and promoters. The applicable co-financing rates set in programmes may be up to 85% for less developed regions and up to 60% or 70% for transition regions depending on the fund concerned and the status of the region but Member States may exceed these ceilings at the level of the project concerned, where feasible under State aid rules. The Technical Support Instrument can help Member States and regions in preparing net-zero growth strategies, improve the business environment, reducing red tape and accelerating permitting. Member States should be encouraged to promote the sustainability of net-zero strategic projects by embedding these investments in European value chains, building notably on interregional and cross border cooperation networks. _________________ 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) To overcome the limitations of the current fragmented public and private investments efforts, facilitate integration and return on investment, the Commission, and Member States should better coordinate and create synergies between the existing funding programmes at Union and national level as well as ensure better coordination and collaboration with industry and key private sector stakeholders. The Net-Zero Europe Platform has a key role to play to build a comprehensive view of available and relevant funding opportunities and to discuss the individual financing needs of net-zero strategic projects.
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50
Recital 50
(50) At the same time, the unpredictability, complexity and at times, excessive length of national permit- granting processes undermines the investment security needed for the effective development of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects. Therefore, in order to ensure and speed up their effective implementation, Member States should apply streamlined and predictable permitting procedures. In addition, Net-Zero Strategic Projects should be given priority status at national level to ensure rapid administrative treatment and urgent treatment in all judicial and dispute resolution procedures relating to them, without preventing competent authorities to streamline permitting for other net-zero technologies manufacturing projects that are not Net- Zero Strategic Projects or more generally.
Amendment 365 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) In order to ensure clarity about the permitting status of Net-Zero Strategic Projects and to limit the effectiveness of potential abusive litigation, while not undermining effective judicial review, Member States should ensure that any dispute concerning permit granting process is resolved in a timely manner. To that end, national competent authorities should ensure that applicants and project promoters have access to a simple dispute settlement procedure and that Net-Zero Strategic Projects are granted urgent treatment in all judicial and dispute resolution procedures relating to them while ensuring respect for the rights of defence.
Amendment 369 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) Net-zero technology manufacturing projects undergo lengthy and complex permitting procedures of 2-7 years, depending on the Member State, technology and value chain segment. Considering the size of required investments – in particular for gigafactory- size projects which are needed to reach the expected economies of scale – inadequate permitting creates an additional and often detrimental barrier to increase net-zero technology manufacturing capacity in the Union. In order to provide project promoters and other investors with the security and clarity needed to increase development of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects, Member States should ensure that the permit-granting process related to such projects does not exceed pre-set time limits. For Net Zero Strategic Projects the length of the permit-granting process should not exceed twelve months for facilities with a yearly production output of more than 1 GW, and 9 months for those with a yearly production output of less than 1 GW. For all other net-zero technology manufacturing projects, the length of the permit-granting process should not exceed eighteen months for facilities with a yearly production output of more than 1 GW, and twelve months for those with a yearly production output of less than 1 GW. For net-zero technologies for which the GW metric is not relevant, such as grids and carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and usage (CCU) technologies, the upper limits of the aforementioned deadlines should apply. For the expansion of existing production lines, each of the aforementioned time limits should be halved.
Amendment 373 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
Amendment 401 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
Recital 69
(69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net- Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups and invite third parties, such as experts or representatives from net-zero industries.
Amendment 419 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and products in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system, the facilitate the deployment of carbon removal activities, and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs.
Amendment 487 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 ; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; hydro turbines; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; advancednuclear technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency technologie, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, electricity and hydrogen based technologies for low-carbon steel, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies with associated CO2 transport infrastructure; hydrogen transport infrastructure; and biomass feedstock and water management technologies for biogas production and electrolysers; space technologies and space products. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products along the entire value chain. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. _________________ 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final.
Amendment 515 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) 'net-zero products’ means any technology or product the application of which contributes to climate change mitigation within the meaning Article 10(1) or (2) of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council and manufacturing net-zero products such as RFNBOs or low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia;
Amendment 549 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ‘net-zero technology manufacturing and deployment project’ means a planned industrial facility or extension or repurposing of an existing facility manufacturing net-zero technologies or value chains making use of the net-zero technologies;
Amendment 557 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 589 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r
(r) ‘energy system integration’ means solutions for the planning and operating of the energy system as a whole, across multiple energy carriers, infrastructures, and consumption sectors, by creating stronger links between them with the objective of delivering fossil-free, reliable and resource-efficient energy services, at the least possible cost for society, e.g. district cooling and heating systems.
Amendment 593 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
(sa) ‘smart water management’ is the activity of planning, developing, distributing, and managing the use of water resources using an array of technologies which are designed to increase efficiency, and make more reasonable and sustainable usage of these water resources.
Amendment 595 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s b (new)
Amendment 662 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Member States shall provide the following information on administrative processes relevant to net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net zero strategic projects, online and in a centralised and easily accessible manner:
Amendment 752 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. When preparing plans, including zoning, spatial plans and land use plans, national, regional and local authorities shall, where appropriate, include in those plans provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry.
Amendment 769 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10
Article 10
Amendment 862 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
Article 11
Application and recognition 1. Applications for recognition of net-zero technology projects as net-zero strategic projects shall be submitted by the project promoter to the relevant Member State. 2. The application referred to in paragraph 1 shall contain all of the following: (a) relevant evidence related to the fulfilment of the criteria laid down in Article 10(1) or (2); (b) a business plan evaluating the financial viability of the project consistent with the objective of creating quality jobs. 3. Member States shall assess the application referred to in paragraph 1 through a fair and transparent process within a month. The absence of a decision by Member States within that time frame shall constitute an approval of the project. 4. The Commission may provide its opinion on the approved projects. In the case of a rejection of the application by a Member State, the applicant shall have the right to submit the application to the Commission, which shall assess the application within 20 working days. 5. Where the Commission, following its assessment in accordance with paragraph 4, confirms the rejection of the application by the Member State, it shall notify the applicant of its conclusion in the form of a letter. Where the Commission differs in its assessment from the Member State, the Net-Zero Europe Platform shall discuss the project in question. 6. Where the Commission or a Member State finds that a net-zero strategic project has undergone substantial changes or that it no longer fulfils the criteria set out in Article 10(1) or 10(3), or where its recognition was based on an application containing incorrect information, it shall inform the project promoter concerned. After hearing the project promoter, the Member State may repeal the decision granting a project the status of net-zero strategic project. 7. Projects which are no longer recognised as net-zero strategic project shall lose all rights connected to that status under this Regulation. 8. The Commission shall set up and maintain an openly available registry of net-zero strategic projects.rticle 11 deleted
Amendment 886 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12
Article 12
Amendment 907 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13
Article 13
Amendment 1014 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
An annual injection capacity of at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 shall be achieved by 2030, in storage sites located in the territory of the European Union and the EEA, its exclusive economic zones or on its continental shelf within the meaning of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and which are not combined with Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery (EHR).
Amendment 1175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising at least the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender, in compliance with Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound.
Amendment 1284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and Article 4 of Directive 2018/200173 and in line with the Union’s international commitments, when deciding to set up schemes benefitting households or consumers which incentivise the purchase of net-zero technology final products listed in the Annex, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall design them in such a way as to promote the purchase by beneficiaries of net-zero technology final products with a high sustainability and resilience contribution as referred in Article 19(2), by providing additional proportionate financial compensation. _________________ 73 Directive 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
Amendment 1307 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall make available and regularly update a list of each of the net-zero technology final products listed in the Annex, broken down by the share of Union supply originating in different third countries in the last year for which data is available.
Amendment 1333 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. European Net Zero Industry Academies shall make use where appropriate of the specific training programmes of the EU Agencies and Joint Undertakings in order to develop a largecale partnership to further enhance upskilling and reskilling activities of students and professionals required by net zero industries.
Amendment 1527 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – table 1
Annex I – table 1