Federal Ministry of Transport launches second funding call for the procurement of environmentally friendly ground power units for German airports.
From 13 May 2024, the second round of applications will commence in the open-technology funding programme for the market activation of alternative solutions for the climate and environmentally friendly supply of aircraft with ground power at German airports (Ground Power Guideline / “Bodenstrom-Richtlinie”) of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV – Bundesministerium für Digital and Transport). Following the successful first call in July 2023, the BMDV is now once again awarding funding for the procurement of mobile and stationary ground power systems to supply aircraft on the ground and for the charging and refuelling infrastructure required for operation.
Dr Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport: “We want to make German airports the cleanest in the world by creating incentives for investments in climate protection. Our first call for funding was a complete success. We will therefore continue to support German airports in switching to a climate-friendly power supply for aircraft. This improves the air on the apron and contributes directly to reducing CO2. Climate protection poses particular challenges for our aviation industry. With our support, we are helping it to achieve the ambitious climate targets that have been set.”
Kurt-Christoph von Knobelsdorff, CEO and spokesperson for NOW GmbH: “The strong response from the industry to the first call for funding last year showed that airports are very willing to make their operations climate-friendly. The fact that the German government is continuing its commitment and once again supporting German commercial airports in the procurement of climate-friendly ground power systems is an important, positive signal: Germany is leading the way in terms of climate-friendly airports and consolidating its pioneering role through an early partial realisation of the European requirements of the AFIR.”
With a budget of around €20 million, the second call will only address projects that are due to start in the 2024 financial year. The decisive factor is when the contract for the procurement of environmentally friendly solutions is awarded. The BMDV is thereby creating planning security for the procurement of climate-friendly technologies. In the first call, 52 mobile ground power units and the associated charging infrastructure were procured thanks to the federal funding initiative, which, according to initial estimates, will help to save up to 2,600 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year. Up until now, seven airports have benefited from the funding.
In an online seminar on 2 May 2024, the BMDV, BAV and NOW GmbH will provide information about the second call for funding. The results of the “Climate-friendly ground power supply for aircraft” (“Klimafreundliche Bodenstromversorgung von Luftfahrzeugen”) market study will also be presented at the seminar, providing potential applicants with an overview of the relevant stakeholders. Registration for the seminar is possible via the link below.
Eligible to apply are natural and legal persons who will become the owners of the alternative systems that are to be funded in Germany. Applications can be submitted until 14 June 2024 at 3 pm.
Applications will be awarded by the Federal Office for Administrative Services (BAV – Bundesanstalt für Verwaltungsdienstleistungen), which will also be responsible for monitoring the success of the projects. As a scientific and technical service provider, NOW GmbH supports the implementation of the Ground Power Directive with its technical expertise and collects and analyses data on the funding measure.
The point of contact at NOW GmbH is the Climate-Friendly Aviation team:
- To the second call for funding including application criteria
- All information on the funding programme and the application process can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Administrative Services (BAV)
- Click here to register for the online seminar