European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 04 / 2026 Brussels, 14 April 2026 Commission approves €3.7 billion Czech State aid scheme for sustainable biomethane production The European Commission has approved a €3.7 billion Czech scheme to support the construction of biomethane production stations in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal . This measure will contribute to the transition towards a ...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 04 / 2026 Brussels, 14 April 2026 Commission approves €3.7 billion Czech State aid scheme for sustainable biomethane production The European Commission has approved a €3.7 billion Czech scheme to support the construction of biomethane production stations 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 . The scheme is expected to support installations with a total output of 350 million standard cubic meters of sustainable biomethane, which contributes to the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. The aid will take the form of a direct price support scheme , with a two-way contract for difference that provides a bonus for each MWh of biomethane produced for a duration of 15 years, based on a so-called strike price. If market prices of natural gas are lower than the strike price, the State will pay the producers. If they are higher, the companies will pay back the difference. The beneficiaries will be selected through a competitive tendering procedure. The Commission found that the Czech scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the CISAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated volume and budget, and the aid will be provided as direct price support through a two-way contract for difference, which will be awarded via a competitive bidding process. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ With this €3.7 billion scheme Czechia will boost the EU's production of sustainable biomethane that will be used for transport and heating. It will also help Czechia meet its emissions reduction target. The measure will contribute to a cleaner, more secure and more resilient energy mix, while preserving a level playing field and minimising potential distortions of competition. '' 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 €1.3 billion German State aid scheme for rewetting of farmed peatlands The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.3 billion German scheme to support landowners and land managers of drained peatlands that commit to rewet their land. The scheme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing carbon storage in peatlands. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants and will cover up to 100% of eligible costs . The scheme will run until 31 December 2029. The Commission found that the scheme facilitates the development of an economic activity and has an incentive effect . Furthermore, it is necessary , appropriate , proportionate and brings about positive effects that outweigh any potential distortion of competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the German scheme under EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ The rewetting of drained peatlands in the EU is an important step towards reaching our climate goals, but it also comes with challenges for farmed land. The scheme that we approved today sets important incentives to develop new, sustainable value chains while taking all relevant stakeholders on board. ” 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 €615.7 million Dutch State aid scheme to support the reduction of emissions in the dairy farming sector The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €615.7 million scheme to support a decrease in intensity of activity in the dairy farming sector in the Netherlands. The aim of the scheme is to support the voluntary reduction by dairy farmers of their herd for a period of three years. By contributing to the structural reduction of both greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions, the scheme benefits climate change mitigation and strengthens environmental protection. Additionally, the scheme can stimulate the transition to less intensive business models. Under the scheme, dairy farmers who in 2025 kept dairy cows and calves for the production of milk will be able to apply for aid, which will take the form of direct grants covering up to 100% of the eligible costs. The scheme will run for five years. The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2023 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas . The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity and climate action, and to contribute to achieving the environmental and climate-related objectives of the EU. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Dutch scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.119985 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 acquisition of Kelda Group by EFMS and GIC Acquirers The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Kelda Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries, ‘Kelda Group') of Jersey by EQT Fund Management S.à r.l. (‘EFMS') of Luxembourg, Epsom Investment Pte. Ltd (‘Epsom') and Nubia Investment Pte. Ltd (together with Epsom, ‘GIC Acquirers'), both of Singapore. The transaction relates primarily to water supply and sewerage services in the UK. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. 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.12378 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner McGrath in California to strengthen EU-US cooperation on consumer protection and competitiveness Today, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath , is travelling to the United States to engage with US authorities, and major tech industry leaders. The visit, lasting until Thursday, 16 April, will focus on the recently presented EU Inc . and on strengthening EU-US cooperation on data protection, consumer rights, and the safety of minors online. Commissioner McGrath will meet with several tech companies and startups: OpenAI Founder and CEO, Sam Altman, the co-CEO of Netflix, Greg Peters, the CEO of Electronic Arts, Andrew Wilson, as well as representatives of Anthropic, Roblox, Meta, Google, and Apple, among others. Commissioner McGrath will highlight the potential of EU Inc. to incentivise businesses to start and scale in Europe, and attract investment as a stable and predictable market. The Commissioner will also address online safety and unfair commercial practices, as well as the protection of minors online. He will take the opportunity to elaborate on the ongoing preparations for a Digital Fairness Act (DFA), which the Commission will come forward with later this year with the aim to ensure legal certainty and clearer guardrails in the Single Market and make it easier for businesses to operate in the EU, all the while ensuring European consumers can shop online with confidence. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33 ; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79) Commissioner Micallef discusses the future of sport at 2026 EU Sport Forum Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef , will participate in the 2026 EU Sport Forum organised on 15-16 April in Paphos, Cyprus. The Forum brings together policymakers, public authorities and sport organisations to discuss priorities and challenges in sport. The Forum will focus on reinforcing the European Sport Model , promoting equality, and fostering solidarity and competitive balance in sport – topics that the communication on sports that the Commission will put forward soon will reflect. In addition, other topics leading the discussion are protecting the mental health of athletes and sport participants, promoting physical activity, and supporting cooperation focused on development of sport in the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, a high-level panel on integrity and investment in European basketball will explore how top-level competitions can strengthen grassroots development and the long-term sustainability of basketball in Europe. For the first time, the EU Sport Forum will be fully web streamed. More information on the event programme and how to watch it online is available on the EU Sport website . (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) 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/26/807
Speech Brief