Update about CEF 2 Transport’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF)
On 14 October 2021, EU-agency CINEA organised a webinar on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which is part of the EU-programme CEF 2 Transport. During this webinar, more information was announced by CINEA about AFIF. This article covers the most important information for you.
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Eligible projects/activities within AFIF
Within AFIF there are three key areas: renewable energy, green hydrogen and circular economy. Based on these, there are three types of recharging & refuelling infrastructure for which a grant can be received:
- Electric charging infrastructures for the road network (unit costs)
- Publicly accessible recharging stations on the road network (TEN-T) for vehicles (LDV and HDV)
- ‘Grid connection’ with a minimum power capacity of 600 kVA
- Zero emission (%)
- Electric recharging stations for:
- public transit (mainly for ‘urban nodes’)
- IWW and maritime vessels
- port vehicles and equipment (subject to specific conditions)
- airport ground operations
- H2 refuelling stations for:
- vehicles (LDV and/or long haul HDV)
- public transport
- IWW and maritime vessels
- port vehicles and equipment
- railways
- Electric recharging stations for:
- Low emission (%)
- LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) refuelling stations supplying inland waterways and maritime ports
It should also be taken into account that only activities in certain locations within the TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) are eligible for a grant contribution from AFIF.
Budget and grant contribution
For the period 2021 to 2023, a total of € 1.5 billion is available for AFIF. For the road network, unit costs are applied, while the zero emission & low emission elements are accompanied with grant percentages (10% or 30%, depending on the type of fuel).
What about co-financing (loan component)?
In addition to the ‘regular’ CEF 2 Transport calls, applicants will have to guarantee part of the co-financing – loan component – through support from:
- one or more ‘implementing partners’ (EIB, EBRD or national promotional banks);
- or non-implementing partners (other public or private financial institutions in the EU, such as commercial banks).
Note: the complete list of implementing partners has not yet been published by CINEA.
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Letter of support
This letter of support from the (non-)implementing partner(s) should amount to at least 10% of the total project costs and needs to be recorded in a ‘Financial Approval Letter’ (including a summary of the project). Only with this letter of support an AFIF application can be submitted!
From financing contract to Grant Agreement
Has the CEF 2 Transport AFIF grant been awarded? In this case, the applicant(s) and the bank or financial partner of the project are informed by CINEA. Afterwards, a financing contract will be concluded between the applicant(s) and (non-)implementing partners. Finally, a Grant Agreement (GA) will be signed by CINEA and the applicant(s).
Important dates
AFIF is a ‘rolling’ call with several cut-off dates as intermediate deadlines. The implementation period of a project shall not exceed three years after the relevant cut-off date. In addition, as an applicant, you are required to maintain the recharging/refuelling stations for at least five years. All cut-off dates and other important dates for 2021 to 2023 can be found in the table below:
| Cut-off stages
|
1st cut-off date | 2nd cut-off date | 3rd cut-off date | 4th cut-off date | 5th cut-off date
|
| Deadline for submission (17:00h, CEST) | 19 January 2022
|
7 June 2022 | 10 November 2022 | 13 April 2023 | 19 September 2023 |
| Evaluation | February – March 2022 | July – Augustus 2022 | December 2022 – January 2023 | May – June 2023 | October – November 2023 |
| Information on evaluation results | May 2022 | October 2022 | March 2023 | July 2023 | January 2024 |
| GA Signature | September – October 2022 | February – March 2023 | July – Augustus 2023 | December 2023 – January 2024 | May – June 2024 |
Need advice or support?
Hezelburcht has extensive experience with the predecessor of the AFIF, namely the CEF Transport Blending Facility (2014 – 2020). As a result, we have the knowledge and expertise to support your organisation in drawing up a strong AFIF application. If you would like to know more about this call, please contact us for more information!
More information on AFIF? Contact us!
Or call us directly: 088 495 20 00
