Opening soon Modernisation Fund — new biofuel production capacity (bioethanol, SAF, HVO)
State aid from the Modernisation Fund (Key Programme 8) for companies building new bioethanol or SAF+HVO capacity in Romania. It covers up to 70% of eligible costs, and the estimated budget is 500 million euro.
- Who can apply
- Commercial companies of any size, from micro-enterprises to large enterprises, that…
- Total budget
- 500 million
- Funding amount
- Up to 70% of eligible costs
- Submission period
- not yet announced
Checked against official sources on · funder: Ministry of Energy · official source
The guide has not been published yet, but good applications are built before launch. Those who start when the call window opens usually miss out on it.
Who can apply
Companies of any size, from micro-enterprises to large enterprises, that build new bioethanol or SAF+HVO production capacity in Romania can apply. The company must be registered with the ONRC (Trade Register) by the time the funding contract is signed and must have CAEN Rev.3 code 2051 – Manufacture of liquid biofuels in its articles of association. Newly established enterprises, including companies created specifically for the project, are no longer excluded, and agricultural or energy cooperatives with legal personality can apply directly. Credit institutions and other financial institutions are excluded, and consortia are not recognised as such.
What it covers
- Building new bioethanol production capacity
- Building new SAF+HVO production capacity
- New components in brownfield projects
- Installations using feedstocks listed in Annex IX of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, part A and part B (waste, residues, algae, cellulosic biomass, used cooking oils, animal fats)
We prepare your application before the window opens
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
Can applications already be submitted for the biofuels scheme under the Modernisation Fund?
No. The Ministry of Energy updated the scheme on 22 September 2026, but it only takes effect once the European Commission has approved it and the funding decision has been made. The submission period has not yet been announced. It will be published on energie.gov.ro, and applications will be submitted in MySMIS2021.
How much can a biofuels project receive through the Modernisation Fund?
The aid covers up to 70% of eligible costs. The ceiling is 50 million euro for a bioethanol plant and 133.3 million euro for a SAF+HVO plant. The exact amount results from the bid submitted in the competitive tender, whose main criterion is the aid requested per tonne of biofuel.
What minimum capacity must the plant have?
For bioethanol, the minimum capacity was reduced after consultation from 50,000 to 20,000 tonnes per year. For SAF+HVO, the minimum thresholds are 20,000 tonnes per year of SAF and 90,000 tonnes per year of HVO, and both must be met simultaneously.
Can I use rapeseed or sunflower oil as feedstock?
No. Only feedstocks listed in Annex IX of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 are eligible, such as waste, residues, algae, cellulosic biomass, used cooking oils and animal fats. Virgin vegetable oils (rapeseed, sunflower, soya) are excluded. The project must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65%, verified through ISCC, RSB or equivalent certification.
Can a newly established company or a group of partners apply?
Yes. After consultation, newly established enterprises, including companies created specifically for the project, are no longer excluded, and financial capacity can be proven by a bank comfort letter. The application is submitted by a single legal entity. Consortia are not recognised as such, so partners must organise themselves into a joint legal entity.
What obligations does the beneficiary have after receiving the money?
The investment must be put into operation by 31 December 2030 at the latest. Production must reach 50% of the committed capacity in the first year, 75% in the second and 100% from the third year, and monitoring lasts 5 years. If the thresholds are not met, the beneficiary repays between 25% and 100% of the aid, with interest.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
We prepare your file until the call opens — Modernisation Fund — new biofuel production capacity (bioethanol, SAF, HVO)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
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