Energy savings receive the largest share of Czech Industry Ministry’s new operational programme

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) has allocated the largest amount of funding from the newly approved Technologies and Applications for Competitiveness Operational Programme (OP TAK) in the first phase to support energy savings. Ten billion crowns will be available under a call aimed at reducing the energy intensity of businesses. The ministry is expected to start accepting applications in September. The MPO will also support research and development, allocating four billion crowns for industrial research and experimental development. It is expected to launch applications at the beginning of August, MPO representatives told reporters today.

The European Commission approved OP TAK this week, with 81.5 billion crowns available to support businesses through 2027. The subsidy scheme follows the outgoing Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness Operational Programme (OP PIK). Small, medium-sized and large companies from all regions except Prague will be eligible for support. Rather than gradually announcing individual subsidy calls as before, to ensure funds are drawn throughout the programming period, the MPO will launch several at once, said Marian Piecha, the deputy minister of industry and trade for European funds.

In the case of the call to reduce energy intensity, businesses will have sufficient time to prepare projects, particularly to draw up an energy assessment, according to MPO official Ondřej Tomšej. The application period is scheduled to end in November next year. Companies will be able to receive between half a million and 200 million crowns, with the level of support depending on the size of the company and the region where the project is implemented.

„The European Commission has set us a requirement of at least 30% savings in primary renewable energy,“ Tomšej said.

Nevertheless, the call has considerable potential, he said, and hundreds of applications are expected. Some businesses that applied for support under OP PIK but do not manage to complete their projects will prepare applications for the new programme, he added. This will involve dozens of applicants.

Among energy projects, the ministry will also support the construction of wind power plants under OP TAK – 500 million crowns will be available in a call that the MPO is expected to announce in mid-August. A call for the development of smart grids, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources into domestic distribution systems, will also be launched this year.

In research and development, companies will be able to apply for subsidies to acquire new knowledge needed to develop new products, materials, technologies and services. Support will range from five to 125 million crowns. Businesses should have three months to submit applications, although based on previous experience the MPO expects most applications to arrive shortly before the deadline. The ministry expects 500 to 600 applications.

OP TAK is divided into six sections. The largest amount, specifically 31.1 billion crowns of the total, is earmarked for strengthening companies’ performance in research, development and innovation and their digital transformation. A total of 27.2 billion crowns is planned for the transition to a low-carbon economy.