European Commission - Daily News Daily News 27 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 27 February 2026 Commission disburses €1.46 billion to Portugal and Lithuania under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission disbursed more than €1.46 billion to Portugal and Lithuania under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission's post-pandemic programme to support Mem...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 27 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 27 February 2026 Commission disburses €1.46 billion to Portugal and Lithuania under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission disbursed more than €1.46 billion to Portugal and Lithuania under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission's post-pandemic programme to support Member States' recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness. Portugal will receive €1.1 billion, to boost the digital transformation in healthcare and education, upgrade public financial management and improve the efficiency of its justice and tax systems. The investment will also fund measures to combat energy poverty and transition to a low-carbon industry. The Commission greenlighted Portugal's payment request on 23 January 2026. Today's payment will raise the total funds disbursed by the Commission to Portugal to €14.9 billion. Lithuania will be granted €360.4 million to support a range of measures aimed at advancing green and high value-added industrial technologies, as well as renewable energy projects – including solar, wind and hybrid onshore installations – and improve electricity storage infrastructure. The Commission greenlighted Lithuania's payment request on 4 November 2025. Today's payment will raise the total funds disbursed by the Commission to Lithuania to €2.7 billion. The Commission has disbursed the funds to both countries following the positive opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee of the Council. As with all Member States, payments under the RRF are performance-based, contingent upon the successful implementation of their national plans. With a view to the closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Members States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit last payment requests by the end of September. An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process are also available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Commission approves €1.1 billion French State aid scheme to support cleantech manufacturing capacity, in line with Clean Industrial Deal objectives The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion French scheme to support strategic investments that add clean technology (cleantech) manufacturing capacity in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025 . This is the eighth cleantech manufacturing capacity scheme approved since the CISAF was adopted, unlocking over €10 billion in support for investments in such capacity. The scheme incentivises investments in additional capacity production of net-zero technologies listed in Annex II of CISAF, like solar, offshore or onshore wind technologies, heat pumps or battery technologies. The scheme also covers costs related to the main specific components of these technologies and the related critical raw materials. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of a tax credit . The measure will be open to the whole territory of France and aid may be granted until 31 December 2028. The Commission concluded that the French scheme is necessary , appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal . Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ This scheme of over €1 billion will ensure additional clean technology manufacturing capacity in France. The tax credits granted under this scheme will help companies making key investments in the coming years. At the same time, any potential competition distortions are kept to the minimum ”. A press release is available online (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Romania's amended restructuring plan for CE Oltenia The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether Romania's proposed amendments to power company CE Oltenia's restructuring plan are in line with EU state aid rules. In January 2022 the Commission conditionally approved Romanian restructuring aid of €2.66 billion (RON 13.15 billion) for CE Oltenia , under the Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty . In December 2025, Romania notified an amended restructuring plan with an increase of the restructuring aid from €2.66 billion to €2.86 billion and an extension of the restructuring period by three years until the end of 2029. According to Romania, the reason for the extension is the delayed implementation of new power generation plants based on solar energy and gas, which in turn has delayed the phaseout of CE Oltenia's existing lignite capacities. Romania argues that there is a risk to security of supply in the region, due to the current geopolitical situation. Romania, via CE Oltenia, is the main supplier of electricity for neighbouring Republic of Moldova and one of the energy suppliers for Ukraine. At this stage, based on the information provided by Romania, the Commission needs to verify whether the revised restructuring plan is compatible with EU State aid rules. Therefore, the Commission has decided to open an in-depth investigation. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives Romania and interested third parties, including CE Oltenia, the opportunity to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. A press release is available online. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission approves €78 million Slovenian State aid scheme to support energy intensive companies and reduce carbon leakage The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €78 million Slovenian scheme to partially compensate certain companies for electricity charges that are higher due to carbon prices (‘indirect emission costs') under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) . The scheme is for companies in specific sectors that are both particularly energy-intensive and exposed to international competition. This includes for example companies in the iron and steel, aluminium and other metal industry, the paper industry and the chemical industry. The compensation will be granted for a maximum of 75% of indirect emission costs incurred between 2025-2027. Payments will be made the year after, with a final instalment in 2028 for costs incurred in the previous year. To encourage energy savings, the aid calculation uses electricity consumption efficiency benchmarks that reward the most efficient production processes. To qualify for compensation, companies will have to prove that they cover at least 30% of their electricity consumption with carbon-free sources. In addition, beneficiaries must use the aid for investments in climate protection measures within two years of receiving the last aid payment. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, and in particular under the ETS State aid Guidelines , amended in December 2025 . The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary , appropriate and proportionate to help energy-intensive companies to cope with the higher electricity prices and prevent carbon leakage or relocation to non-EU countries with less ambitious climate policies, resulting in an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.120932 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears creation of joint venture by sennder and LKWW The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by sennder Technologies GmbH (‘sennder') of Germany and LKW WALTER Internationale Transportorganisation AG (‘LKWW') of Austria. The transaction relates primarily to a rewards programme for companies active in the European transportation industry. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12245 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS President von der Leyen opens European Ocean Days On Monday, 2 March, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , and Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis , will open the European Ocean Days in Brussels, the flagship yearly event dedicated to the maritime and fisheries sectors. Extending through five days, the event will focus on the initiatives addressed in the European Ocean Pact, the EU's comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. These include ocean diplomacy, research and innovation, competitiveness, coastal communities and the forthcoming ‘Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture'. The European Ocean Days will also put a strong emphasis on ocean observation, with dedicated sessions on marine knowledge and technologies, and feature an interactive exhibition on the European and Digital Twin Ocean, a highly accurate virtual representation of the ocean that combines ocean observations, artificial intelligence, and advanced modelling. By putting the ocean at the centre of the EU's agenda, the European Ocean Days will help drive progress towards a healthier, more secure, and more sustainable ocean. The third edition of the European Ocean Days brings together a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, startups, investors, civil society organisations, representatives from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, as well as islands, and coastal communities. With a focus on concrete actions and solutions, this event provides a platform for policy dialogue, showcasing the latest developments, including the European Digital Twin Ocean , and highlighting the growing investors' interest in the blue economy. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Executive Vice-President Fitto in Luxembourg to discuss cohesion policy Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto , will be in Luxembourg on Monday and Tuesday, 2 and 3 March, to discuss with EU institutional and national counterparts the future of EU cohesion policy, including in the next EU long-term budget , and the implementation of the reforms and investments of the European Commission's post-pandemic programme. The Executive Vice-President will hold meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Xavier Bettel, Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, and Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, Claude Meisch. Discussions will focus on the next EU budget, competitiveness, the lessons learnt so far from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for cohesion policy, as well as the key role cohesion plays in supporting social and affordable housing. Executive Vice-President Fitto will also meet President of the European Court of Justice, Koen Lenaerts, President of the European Court of Auditors, Tony Murphy, and its members. He will also be received in audience by His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume, before meeting Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies, for an exchange, followed by a discussion with members of the Parliament. Lastly, Executive Vice-President Fitto will meet Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and give a speech at the EIB Group Forum. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/498
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