The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an estimated €3 billion German scheme to support the construction of the Hydrogen Core Network (‘HCN'). The measure will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and 'Fit for 55' package, by enabling the creation of hydrogen transmission infrastructure that is needed to foster the use of renewable hydrogen in industry and transport by 2030.

The European Commission has concluded that Germany's special tax schemes for public casinos operators are not in line with EU State aid rules. Germany must now recover the incompatible State aid, including interests, and abolish the tax schemes for the future.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €570 million Italian scheme to incentivise ships to use shore-side electricity when they are at berth in maritime ports. The measure contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and noise in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether certain support measures to German local public transport company WestVerkehr GmbH are in line with EU State aid rules.

The European Commission has concluded that Hungary's plan to support the construction of a new automotive components plant in Észak Magyarország is not in line with EU State aid rules. Therefore, the aid cannot be granted by Hungary.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an Italian scheme to support a total of 4590 MW of new capacity for electricity production from renewable energy sources. The scheme contributes to the EU's strategic objectives relating to the European Green Deal, while helping to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €2 billion Italian measure to support STMicroelectronics (‘ST') in the construction and operation of an integrated chip manufacturing plant for Silicon Carbide (‘SiC') power devices in Catania, Sicily. The measure will strengthen Europe's security of supply, resilience and digital sovereignty in semiconductor technologies, in line with the objectives set out in the European Chips Act Communication. The measure will also contribute to achieving the digital and green transitions.

The European Commission has approved unconditionally, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition by KKR & Co. Inc. (‘KKR') of NetCo. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the first Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment of healthcare products, as well as innovative production processes of pharmaceuticals. This IPCEI will notably contribute to the European Health Union's objectives by delivering innovations addressing diseases for which there are no satisfactory means of prevention or treatment and by increasing the EU's preparedness for emerging health threats..
See also Remarks by Executive Vice-President Vestager.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a fourth Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment in the hydrogen value chain. The project contributes to the EU's target of 90% reduction of emissions from the mobility and transport sectors, in order for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050. By fostering the use of hydrogen as a fuel, it will also help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal, the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
See also Remarks by Executive Vice-President Vestager.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €3.2 billion (CZK 75 billion) Czech scheme to support the production of electricity from new and modernised high-efficiency combined heat and power (‘CHP') plants. The measure will contribute to the implementation of Czechia's National Energy and Climate Plan, the European Green Deal and the EU's energy efficiency targets.

The European Commission has approved a €4 billion French scheme to support measures aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing sector and help it  transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.

The European Commission has fined Mondelēz International, Inc. (Mondelēz) €337.5 million for hindering the cross-border trade of chocolate, biscuits and coffee products between Member States, in breach of EU competition rules. The Commission remains committed to bringing down unjustified barriers to ensure a better functioning of the Single Market. Territorial supply constraints by suppliers are a type of non-regulatory barriers to a proper functioning of the Single Market. 
See also Remarks by Executive Vice-President Vestager.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.7 billion German scheme to support rail freight operators in single and group wagon transport. The measure will contribute to ensuring that the rail freight sector remains competitive while preserving the environmental performance of rail, in line with the objectives of the Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and of the European Green Deal.

Today, the European Commission has adopted an amendment to the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) to prolong by six months certain provisions of the Framework aimed to address persisting market disturbances specifically in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Czech support measure for the construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant in Dukovany in Czechia.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Romania's plans to grant the Romanian state-owned flag carrier TAROM restructuring aid for up to €95.3 million (RON 473.69 million). The measure will enable the company to restore its long-term viability while minimising competition distortions.

The European Commission has today designated Apple with respect to iPadOS, its operating system for tablets, as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (“DMA”). Apple now has six months to ensure full compliance of iPadOS with the DMA obligations.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €300 million French measure to support Electricité de France's (EDF) subsidiary Nuward in researching and developing small modular nuclear reactors (‘SMRs'). The measure will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the European industrial strategy and the European Green Deal.

Today, the European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation (‘EUMR'), Illumina's plan to divest GRAIL following the restorative measures requiring Illumina to unwind its completed acquisition of GRAIL, which the Commission adopted in October 2023.