#BatterySummit | European Commission reiterates its commitment to supporting investment in the European batteries value chain

On the first day of the INL Battery Summit, the European Commission representatives assured that the EU is highly committed to doing everything to enable a true and complete battery value chain in Europe.

Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič announced that “in June, the EU Commission will sign a Memorandum of Understanding officially launching a partnership on batteries under Horizon Europe, with a contribution of over 900 million euros”.

The European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, Elisa Ferreira, also reinforced this idea, adding that ”cohesion policy can help to build capacity for battery-related research, development, production, and recycling”.

The Portuguese Minister for the Environment and Energetic Transition, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, speaking on behalf of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of Europe, stressed that “it is very important to reflect on the full battery value chain. We need to have products that give more than they take, by optimizing the instruments available”, also stating that “stimulating synergies between all sectors is crucial”.

The first day of the INL Battery Summit on the 22nd of March 2021, was also an opportunity to announce the creation of the “Battery Cluster Portugal”. Pedro Salomé, leader of the Nanofabrication for Optoelectronic Applications Research Group at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and a member of the commission in charge of the new cluster, said that “we aim to build an ecosystem throughout the entire battery value chain” and the goal is to announce it next May 2021.

You can re-watch the Battery Summit - Day 1 by clicking below!