EIB Commits €15.6 Billion to Security, Renewable Energy, and Infrastructure in Ambitious Investment Drive

EIB Commits €15.6 Billion to Security, Renewable Energy, and Infrastructure in Ambitious Investment Drive

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €15.6 billion in financing to support key projects across security, energy, climate resilience, and infrastructure. Highlights include €1 billion to support SMEs in security and defence supply chains, €6.8 billion for renewable energy and energy infrastructure, €1 billion for flood recovery across Europe, and €1.2 billion for global water treatment and supply. The EIB also launched its 2025-2027 Operational Plan, targeting €95 billion in investments, with a focus on innovation, clean technologies, and strategic resilience.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 12-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced €15.6 billion in new financing to address a wide range of priorities, including support for Europe’s security and defence supply chains, energy resilience, climate action, and infrastructure upgrades. These decisions were approved during the latest meeting of the EIB Board of Directors, highlighting the bank’s ongoing commitment to bolstering Europe’s economic and environmental security.

Strengthening Security and Defence Supply Chains
To support Europe’s strategic autonomy, the EIB has allocated €1 billion to provide credit lines and guarantees for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the supply chains of the security and defence sectors. This initiative builds on the EIB’s expanded scope of dual-use projects in 2024, underscoring its commitment to fostering peace and security across the region.

“We are stepping up support for Europe’s security and defence industries by focusing on the SMEs that form the backbone of these supply chains,” said EIB Group President Nadia Calviño. “With activity accelerating, we expect investment in these sectors to further increase in 2025, contributing to peace, security, and Europe’s strategic resilience.”

Operational Plan for 2025-2027: Scaling Up Investment
The EIB Board also approved its Operational Plan for 2025-2027, targeting a maximum investment volume of €95 billion by 2025. This ambitious plan introduces new initiatives like the Tech-EU programme to scale up venture debt capital and support innovation in clean technology, artificial intelligence, chips, quantum computing, health sciences, and other cutting-edge fields.

The plan aligns with the EIB’s Strategic Roadmap, endorsed by EU finance ministers, which focuses on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and addressing global economic and security challenges.

Energy, Water, and Flood Resilience
A significant portion of the approved financing—€8.9 billion—will support energy, water, and climate resilience projects. This includes €6.8 billion for renewable energy initiatives such as solar power in Italy, wind power in Cabo Verde, hydropower in Spain and Ghana, and energy infrastructure reinforcement in Ukraine. Investments also encompass electricity distribution in Spain, France, and Portugal, and renewable energy storage in Greece.

The package includes €1 billion to accelerate flood recovery and strengthen resilience across Europe, alongside €1.2 billion for water treatment and supply projects in countries such as France, Hungary, Bangladesh, and India.

Business Innovation and Sustainable Growth
The EIB has earmarked €2.9 billion for corporate innovation and business investment. Projects include research and development in the steel industry, lithium production for renewable energy batteries, and agricultural initiatives in Spain and Cambodia.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Railways, Roads, and Ports
The Board approved €1.5 billion for transportation infrastructure, covering the acquisition of electric trains in Poland, modernization of ports in Spain, and road improvements in Cyprus and Laos. Airport upgrades in Germany and the Netherlands are also part of the investment package.

Driving Strategic and Sustainable Development
The latest financing decisions highlight the EIB’s role as a key partner in advancing Europe’s strategic priorities while addressing urgent global challenges. By combining investments in security, innovation, and sustainability, the EIB aims to foster resilience and growth in an interconnected world.

Background information

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400,000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.

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+352 4379 – 82155

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank