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The European Commission has approved a €3.1 billion ($3.4 billion) Spanish state aid scheme to support electricity output from highly efficient power plants. The aid will cover new or refurbished combined heat and power (CHP) plant projects utilizing natural gas, bioliquids, biogas, and solid biomass.

Projects using natural gas must incorporate equipment for at least 10% renewable hydrogen to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This scheme aligns with the EU's targets to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The program will operate for 10 years and is available to CHP installations that meet high-efficiency cogeneration criteria under the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive. Aid will be provided as a remuneration premium for investment and operating costs, updated quarterly.