Innovative technologies and solutions to improve wind energy systems supporting the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind

Overview

Funding for research and innovation in wind energy technologies to advance the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan, targeting industrial competitiveness, digitalization, sustainability, and system integration. Open to consortia, research organizations, SMEs, and industry stakeholders across eligible European countries.

Who Can Apply

Consortia composed of legal entities (e.g., research organizations, universities, SMEs, startups, scale-ups, industries, public bodies) from eligible countries. Applicants must demonstrate experience in managing large projects, including financial support to third parties (FSTP) if applicable.

Funding Details

• Total budget: Up to €93 million.
• Funding rate: Not specified (standard Horizon Europe rules apply).
• Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): Up to €24 million allocated (€8 million for breakthrough challenges, €16 million for validation challenges).
• Maximum FSTP grant per third party: €1,000,000.
• Demonstration activities: Up to €50 million reserved for core consortium-led projects.

What Is Funded

Key focus areas include:

• Industrialization, scale-up, and competitiveness (automation, supply chains, digitalization, AI).
• Digitalization of operation and maintenance (AI, robotics, cybersecurity, sensor technologies).
• Wind energy system integration (grid capabilities, storage, hybrid plants, distributed wind).
• Sustainability and circularity (material substitution, recycling, lifetime extension, decommissioning).
• Floating offshore wind (innovative technologies, integrated system design).
• Research and technology infrastructures (testing facilities, large-scale offshore wind systems).
• Environmental and social aspects (biodiversity, noise reduction, stakeholder engagement).
• Emerging technologies (multirotor concepts, ducted turbines, innovative designs).

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 7–9 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment to actual system proven in operational conditions).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-05-04.
• Deadline: 2026-09-14.

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission: Proposals must be submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Page limit: 60 pages (extended due to topic complexity).
• Evaluation: Based on Horizon Europe criteria (excellence, impact, implementation).

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting: Annual deliverables and milestones, including progress on SET Plan KPIs.
• Data management: FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data platform for project-generated data.
• Dissemination: Contribution to the Clean Energy Transition Partnership’s Knowledge Community and Impact Network.
• Advisory Board: Independent experts to ensure alignment with SET Plan goals.
• Risk management: Clear mitigation plans, particularly for demonstration activities.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• FSTP calls: Mandatory for breakthrough and validation challenges; first call must be published within the first year.
• Demonstration activities: Require go/no-go milestones, permits, engineering plans, and financial close.
• Satellite data: Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS required if applicable.
• Exclusions: Demonstration challenge cannot be funded via FSTP.