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Intelligent Energy: Europe Programme

The Intelligent Energy: Europe (IEE) Programme (the successor of the Energy Framework Programme 1999–2002) will spend over €200 million supporting the European Union’s (EU’s) energy policies during 2003–06. The programme has four fields of action:

• altener – addressing renewable energy sources
• save – addressing rational use of energy
• steer – addressing energy aspects of transport
• coopener – addressing developing country energy issues.

The IEE Programme has two broad objectives: to promote energy efficiency and to increase the share of renewable energy sources. The programme aims to encourage the evolution, demonstration and take-up of energy-efficient products and services and renewable energy sources. It will be an incubator for policies and measures to promote renewable energy technologies and rational use of energy in the EU.

Unlike ECOTECH in the sixth Framework Programme and ENERGIE before it, the IEE Programme is a ‘software’ rather than a ‘hardware’ programme. The programme will fund projects that support the development and implementation of medium and long-term energy policy and can contribute to the legislative process and development of other policy measures. Instruments to monitor and evaluate the impact of national and EU-wide measures will also be supported. Projects that bring about short-term behavioural change in energy consumption will also be eligible in view of their contribution to longer-term policy.

The IEE Programme will support energy sector co-operation with developing countries in particular, through capacity-building as part of the EU Energy Initiative. The types of measures eligible for funding are described as:

• development of standards, labelling and certification systems
• long-term voluntary commitments
• forward and strategic studies
• monitoring of markets and energy trends
• creation or enlargement of appropriate structures and instruments
• promotion of sustainable energy systems and equipment
• awareness campaigns
• development of information, education and training structures
• promotion and dissemination of know-how and best practice
• dissemination of results
• monitoring of community initiatives
• evaluation of the impact of the programme.

Three different funding mechanisms are used, for which funding up to 50 per cent will be available for most projects and 100 per cent in a few cases. These are call for proposals, call for tenders, direct subventions, and concerted actions. Call information will be published on the European Commission’s website CORDIS. Alternatively, you can direct enquiries about the programme and its implementation status to Claire Ball on 020 7215 2812 or e-mail: claire.ball@berr.gsi.gov.uk.

BERR & DEFRA fund the Energie Helpline to give advice on applications to the Sixth Framework Programme & The Intelligent Energy: Europe Programme. For more information, visit the Energie Helpline UK website. Alternatively, you can call the Helpline on 0161 874 3636.