Germany: InvestEU – EIB provides €40 million for Wingcopter to scale up electric delivery drones and logistics services
Wingcopter’s cargo drones will bring rapid, clean and cost-effective deliveries to hard-to-reach rural areas across the globe.
The EIB’s €40 million investment will help the company ramp up production of its flagship Wingcopter 198 model, expand delivery services in Europe and abroad, and accelerate the firm’s innovation efforts.
The agreement is supported by the InvestEU programme to help facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide a €40 million quasi-equity investment into Wingcopter GmbH, a European leader and pioneer in unmanned delivery drone technology and related services. Founded in 2017 in the German state of Hesse, Wingcopter’s electrically powered unmanned aircraft are already delivering goods as part of several small-scale commercial and humanitarian projects. For example, in Malawi, a joint project with UNICEF and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has seen Wingcopter’s drones deliver life-saving medicines and medical supplies to rural communities in hard-to-reach areas.
The EIB investment is backed by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme under its sustainable infrastructure window. Using electric cargo drones to deliver urgently needed goods can replace carbon-intensive modes of transport such as motorcycles, vans and helicopters, thereby contributing to the transition towards a green and sustainable economy.
The Wingcopter 198 is expected to be operated for the first time in Germany this summer when Wingcopter launches a pilot project in southern Hesse to test the potential of on-demand transport of groceries and other consumer goods. The project’s goal is to improve local supply in rural German communities through a sustainable delivery service and will be conducted together with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
What makes Wingcopter’s cargo drones truly unique is their ability to take off and land vertically while flying quickly and efficiently over long distances like an airplane without the need for expensive infrastructure. They can carry up to 5 kg and cover distances of up to 100 km. The core hardware and software is patented worldwide. Already running on pure battery power, the Wingcopter team, together with Hamburg-based ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH, is currently developing a green hydrogen energy system to power Wingcopter’s drones for even longer flight times.
The EIB’s investment comes alongside existing funding from a strong international group of investors, including leading European retailer REWE Group, Japanese Fortune 100 conglomerate ITOCHU, Silicon Valley-based Xplorer Capital and Uber co-founder Garrett Camp’s investment arm Expa. Together, the investor commitments will enable Wingcopter to extend the capabilities of its flagship drone, obtain regulatory approval in key markets and deploy its drones at scale in sustainable last-mile delivery networks to become a global logistics services provider across multiple sectors.
EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is responsible for activities in Germany, said: “Europe is currently the global leader in cleantech, and we must work hard to maintain this lead. Backing European cleantech pioneers with global reach like Wingcopter is central to our mission. Electric cargo drones are an important vertical segment for a future of sustainable transport and logistics. This investment underlines our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs growing and building advanced green technology businesses in the European Union, strengthening our technological competitiveness, creating highly skilled jobs and opening up new markets, while preserving nature. We are proud to be supporting this European success story.”
European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said: “This agreement is an excellent example of how InvestEU is helping businesses access the finance they need to innovate and expand. InvestEU will continue to support investment that will allow Europe to maintain its position as a world leader in the development and production of innovative products with positive real-world applications.”
Wingcopter co-founder and CEO Tom Plümmer said: “We would like to thank the European Investment Bank for their trust in us and their support as we strive to become a global leader in the drone-based delivery of urgently needed goods, from medical supplies to groceries. Our goal is also to improve lives by creating many jobs — in R&D and manufacturing at our headquarters in Europe, as well as in the countries where we provide services, where we train and qualify local young people to operate our drone delivery networks. It requires strong partners like the EIB to build reliable, efficient and safe delivery drone technology and logistics services.”
New EBRD projects approved by InvestEU Investment Committee
EBRD and European Commission will work together to help various European Union countries reach their full green potential
New investments to boost green and sustainable projects in the municipal, transport and energy sectors
Funds to benefit Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will mobilise more than €1.1 billion in financing through direct investments or financial intermediaries to help the European Union (EU) countries where the Bank invests to reach their full green potential, improve their sustainability and minimise their environmental impact.
The InvestEU Investment Committee has approved guarantees worth up to around €150 million for the first EBRD operations. This follows and is part of the signing of an InvestEU guarantee agreement worth up to €450 million between the European Commission and the EBRD.
The new financing will boost green and sustainable investments in the municipal, transport and energy sectors to address the environmental challenges they face.
It will support the EBRD’s successful Green Cities programme, which is active in more than 50 urban areas to help accelerate their green transition. It will aid recovery from the recent Covid-19 crisis, address infrastructure gaps and improve the competitiveness and socio-economic convergence of these EU countries with other member states.
Furthermore, financial institutions in these countries will provide loans to finance investments in sustainable transport, energy efficiency, renewable energy and residential buildings.
This will contribute to energy savings and CO2 emission reduction in buildings and the transport sector. It will also help to address the vital issue of carbon intensity in the economies concerned, as well as the energy crisis triggered by the Russian war on Ukraine.
The EBRD will also support green investments in a broad range of industrial and infrastructure projects. These will focus on private companies facing rising costs of newer technologies, higher perceived risks and a lack of available financing.
Typical projects which are expected to be funded include energy and resource efficiency in industries and commerce, the circular economy and recycling initiatives, green buildings, sustainable food products, renewable energy, energy storage and grids, water and wastewater, and low-carbon and urban transport.
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said: “I am very pleased that our partnership with the European Commission will unlock more sustainable and green investments across the EU. The EBRD will leverage its private-sector and policy expertise to contribute to a swift transition to a green future in the EU countries where we invest – in particular across the municipal, industrial and SME sectors of their economies.”
European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said: “InvestEU plays a crucial role in promoting a sustainable and inclusive social economy. Through this agreement, EU countries in central and eastern Europe and Greece will unlock their full potential for green growth and environmental sustainability while addressing critical infrastructure gaps, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering socio-economic convergence. I am proud that InvestEU will play a role in boosting green and sustainable investments, thereby fostering social inclusion, and progressing towards a more equitable and prosperous future”.
Source: EBRD
Συμφωνία ΕΤαΕ – Eurobank: Χρηματοδότηση Μικρομεσαίων Επιχειρήσεων στο πλαίσιο του Ταμείου InvestEU
H Eurobank είναι η πρώτη ελληνική τράπεζα που υπέγραψε συμφωνία με το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Επενδύσεων (ΕΤαΕ) για τη συμμετοχή της στο νέο εγγυοδοτικό πρόγραμμα «Ανταγωνιστικότητα Μικρομεσαίων Επιχειρήσεων» (“SME Competitiveness”), με συνολικό, ανώτατο, προϋπολογισμό χρηματοδοτήσεων €250 εκατ., στο πλαίσιο του Ταμείου InvestEU.
Το νέο πρόγραμμα, που διαθέτει η Eurobank από την 23η Ιανουαρίου 2023, απευθύνεται σε μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις, για την κάλυψη των αναγκών τους σε Κεφάλαιο Κίνησης ή/και για την υλοποίηση επενδυτικών σχεδίων, με στόχο τη βελτίωση της ανταγωνιστικότητάς τους. Με την εγγύηση που παρέχεται από το ΕΤαΕ, για μέρος της χρηματοδότησης, όλες οι επιλέξιμες επιχειρήσεις μπορούν να έχουν πρόσβαση σε ρευστότητα με μειωμένες απαιτήσεις εμπραγμάτων εξασφαλίσεων. Επιπρόσθετα, η Eurobank παρέχει επιπλέον μειωμένο περιθώριο επιτοκίου στις χρηματοδοτήσεις του προγράμματος, στηρίζοντας στο μέγιστο βαθμό τις ελληνικές επιχειρήσεις, ειδικά στην τρέχουσα περίοδο ανοδικής πορείας των επιτοκίων σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο.
O Διευθύνων Σύμβουλος του ΕταΕ, κ. Marjut Falkstedt, δήλωσε: «Μας ευχαριστεί ιδιαίτερα που αξιοποιούμε τη μακροχρόνια σχέση με τους Έλληνες εταίρους μας για να βοηθήσουμε τις εγχώριες ΜΜΕ να υπερβούν τους οικονομικούς περιορισμούς που αντιμετωπίζουν. Η εξασφάλιση καλύτερης πρόσβασης στη χρηματοδότηση είναι ζωτική, συνολικά, για την επιχειρηματικότητα στη χώρα. Η παρούσα νέα συμφωνία ύψους 250 εκατομμυρίων ευρώ στο πλαίσιο του προγράμματος InvestEU, θα δώσει στις εγχώριες επιχειρήσεις προνομιακή πρόσβαση στους απαιτούμενους πόρους προκειμένου να υλοποιήσουν επενδύσεις σχετικές με τη δράση για το κλίμα, την ενεργειακή απόδοση και τις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας, να ενισχύσουν την ανταγωνιστικότητά τους και να υποστηρίξουν τον ψηφιακό τους μετασχηματισμό.».
Ο Αναπληρωτής Διευθύνων Σύμβουλος της Eurobank, κ. Αντρέας Αθανασόπουλος, ανέφερε σχετικά: «Η συμφωνία με το ΕΤαΕ και η συμμετοχή μας στο νέο εγγυοδοτικό πρόγραμμα που απευθύνεται στις μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις της χώρας μας, υπογραμμίζει τη μόνιμη δέσμευσή μας να στηρίζουμε έμπρακτα την εγχώρια επιχειρηματικότητα. Συμβάλλουμε ουσιαστικά, προκειμένου οι ελληνικές μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις να αξιοποιήσουν, στο έπακρο, τον ισχυρό αναπτυξιακό μοχλό των διαθέσιμων ευρωπαϊκών και εθνικών πόρων ώστε, με ευνοϊκούς όρους, να κερδίσουν το στοίχημα της ανταγωνιστικότητας και να συμμετέχουν στον επενδυτικό & αναπτυξιακό κύκλο της οικονομίας μας».
Το ποσό χρηματοδότησης ανά επιχείρηση συναρτάται με το συναλλακτικό του κύκλωμα και τα επιχειρησιακά πλάνα της επιχείρησης. Oι χρηματοδοτήσεις θα χορηγούνται με τη μορφή τοκοχρεολυτικού δανείου από ένα (1) έως δέκα (10) έτη και με δυνατότητα αποπληρωμής σε μηνιαίες ή τριμηνιαίες δόσεις.
Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες για τους όρους και τις προϋποθέσεις ένταξης στο πρόγραμμα, οι ενδιαφερόμενοι μπορούν να απευθύνονται, στη σελίδα του Προγράμματος InvestEU SME Competitiveness – Ανταγωνιστικότητα ΜμΕ στο www.eurobank.gr ή στα καταστήματα Δικτύου της Eurobank.
Οι παρεχόμενες χρηματοδοτήσεις επωφελούνται στήριξης από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση μέσω του Ταμείου InvestEU.
Greece: InvestEU – EIB backs PPC Renewables for 230MWp capacity solar farms to increase renewable energy production and support just transition efforts in Greece’s Western Macedonia region
EIB commits €28.5 million financing for PPC Group’s renewable energy arm. The EIB financing will reach a maximum amount of €35 million over the coming months.
New financing will help support the construction of three solar farms.
The EIB loan is backed by an EU budget guarantee under the InvestEU programme.
The new 230MWp capacity solar farms in Kozani in the Western Macedonia Just Transition region supported by the EIB and backed by InvestEU are part of the ambitious Greek National Energy and Climate Plan. They will allow, along with other investments, for the greater use of renewable energy resources and reduction of fossil fuel dependency in the electricity sector, as well as improving security of supply for long term demand.
The project, which is one of the largest solar energy projects developed and under implementation in Greece, is also part of the strategic transformation plan of the PPC Group which puts a special focus on the promotion of renewable energy.
“To make a success of the green transition we need significant and sustained investment. This agreement to finance the construction of new solar farms in Greece is an excellent example of how the InvestEU programme is mobilising funding in support of green energy generation across Europe. InvestEU is delivering the investment necessary to make crucial energy projects a reality,” said Paolo Gentiloni, EC Commissioner for the Economy.
“We are particularly pleased that this project promotes renewable and clean energy for the people of Greece. It also enhances energy security and sustainability and will help the country meet its ambitious renewable energy targets. Looking ahead, the EIB is following developments in the Greek electricity sector and stands ready to finance sound projects in line with its Climate Bank Roadmap, the commitment to increase the level of support to climate action and environmental sustainability to exceed 50% of its overall lending activity.” said Christian Kettel Thomsen, EIB Vice-President responsible for lending in Greece.
“With full awareness and understanding of the importance and significance of the work of PPC Renewables in Greece, we are pleased but also driven by a great sense of responsibility for the confidence with which PPC Renewables is surrounded by the European Investment Bank, Eurobank and the National Bank of Greece. PPC Renewables is faithfully serving the PPC group business strategy which on the one hand creates conditions for corporate success and on the other hand contributes to the change of the country’s energy map. The progress of PPC Renewables to date creates only optimism that this financing will simultaneously achieve its important national objective while having a tangible, measurable economic effect,” said Konstantinos Mavros, CEO of PPC Renewables.
EIB deliver support in close cooperation with local financial institutions
The EIB financing is part of a €102.4 million Project Finance debt package comprising of €95.1 million long term facilities and €7.3 million medium term construction VAT financing. EIB worked together with Eurobank SA (ERB) and National Bank of Greece SA (NBG), which committed in equal shares 70% of the long-term facilities and 100% of the medium-term VAT financing.
Building on EIB’s 59-year support for energy investment across Greece through PPC
The EIB has financed long-term investment by PPC Group since 1964. Over the last decade the bank has provided more than €4.3 billion for energy investment in Greece via PPC and other public and private Greek energy partners, including improving connections to Greek islands, harnessing renewable energy, and accelerating energy efficiency investment.