€17.5M Increase Approved for Affected Regions

The Catalan government has raised business support from the Nuclear Transition Fund by 50%, bringing the total allocation for 2026 to €52.5 million. The increase of €17.5 million was approved on Tuesday 27th October 2026 during a meeting of the fund’s governing body in Móra la Nova, in the Ribera d’Ebre region. The additional funding supplements the €35 million originally announced in April 2026 for industrial, innovation, and growth projects in areas impacted by the closure of the Ascó and Vandellòs nuclear power plants. The grants are managed by ACCIÓ, the agency for business competitiveness within the Department of Business and Labour.

Support for Industrial and Green Projects

The Nuclear Transition Fund provides subsidies for a range of initiatives aimed at boosting socioeconomic development and supporting a just energy transition. Eligible projects include:

  • Business investment in fixed assets, such as new facilities or expanded production capacity
  • Job creation schemes generating at least three new positions
  • Growth projects involving strategic change, business planning, or talent recruitment
  • Cooperative ventures enhancing competitiveness in nuclear transition zones
  • High value-added entrepreneurship promoting innovation and sustainability
  • Technological innovation projects driving digital and green transformation

These grants are financed through a dedicated environmental tax under the Catalan government’s own fiscal framework.

Demand Drives Funding Expansion

The decision to increase funding follows strong demand from local businesses. Antonio Suárez, director of the Territorial Services of Business and Labour in the Terres de l’Ebre, stated that the volume of high-scoring applications exceeded available resources.

If all projects scoring over 250 points, the minimum threshold for funding, were to be financed, approximately €72 to €73 million would be needed.

While the new €52.5 million allocation will support a significantly larger number of projects, some eligible initiatives will remain unfunded due to budget limits. Officials noted that many of these could be reconsidered in future calls with further refinements. Applications are assessed based on a points system, with 250 points the minimum required to qualify for support. The fund prioritises projects that align with regional economic clusters and long-term sustainability goals.

Sources: Generalitat de Catalunya, diaricatalunya.cat, canalte.cat, diarimes.com.