Biomass boiler grant for systems of at least 100 kW

• Businesses and other economically active organizations, associations, religious institutions, public-law bodies and Austrian municipalities can apply. Foreign companies can receive support for investments at Austrian operating sites. Private individuals and exclusively residential buildings are excluded. Mixed-use buildings qualify when more than 50% of their heated gross floor area serves business use; smaller private residential shares are included.
• Boilers in new buildings, replacement of existing renewable heating, and first heating systems in previously unheated buildings are excluded. Tiled stoves, fireplace stoves, non-woody biomass, and heat distribution inside buildings such as pipes, radiators and thermostatic valves are excluded.
• A qualifying district-heating connection must be unavailable. An exception applies when connection is technically impossible. A separate exception applies when connection is economically unreasonable: the alternative wood-heating or heat-pump investment must cost at least 25% less than the connection. “Climate-friendly” networks obtain at least 50% of energy from renewables or waste heat, 75% of heat from cogeneration, or 50% from a combination. “Highly efficient” networks obtain at least 90% from renewables, highly efficient cogeneration or otherwise unused waste heat; other sources may provide up to 10% for peaks and backup.
• The boiler must meet UZ 37 (2021) emissions limits at full load and achieve at least 85% efficiency. Prove this with a type-test report or, after installation, an expert report including measurements from a civil engineer, accredited body, public testing institution or technical consultancy.
• For boilers strictly above 500 kW, further permanent NOx and dust limits apply. At full load and 10% oxygen in the flue gas, the NOx/dust limits in mg/Nm³ are 275/83 below 1,000 kW; 275/36 from 1,000 to below 2,000; 220/22 from 2,000 to below 5,000; 220/11 from 5,000 to below 10,000; and 110/11 at 10,000 kW or more. These measure nitrogen oxides and dust per normalized cubic metre of exhaust. After installation, submit a measurement report from one of the qualified bodies above; flue-gas heat loss at rated load must not exceed 13%. NOx limits apply to woody biomass; special fuels are assessed with their fuel-specific properties and permit limits.
• Farmers qualify only where their project is ineligible for agricultural support. Federal subordinate offices and measures fulfilling sovereign federal administrative duties are excluded. Installations receiving EAG renewable-energy tariff or investment support cannot also receive UFI support.
• For installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading System, projects must concern existing industrial or commercial installations or processes and environmental investment costs must not exceed €2 million. ETS installations producing electricity or heat for third parties are excluded.
• A municipal service applying as a business with market activity must cover more than 50% of its costs, keep full accounts including assets and debts, and have substantial decision-making freedom established by municipal resolution. If in doubt, the municipal supervisory authority must confirm this status. Municipalities can also apply directly for this heating offer at the reduced grant amount.
• Leasing, hire-purchase or contracting finance is allowed only for projects funded nationally, and is excluded with EU co-financing. Apply before signing the financing contract or ordering equipment, whichever is earlier. Provide the contract and proof of instalments paid; ownership must pass to the recipient by the final instalment. Payment is limited to amounts already paid, excluding interest and charges. For contracting, the party owning and recording the installation in its accounts applies; where that is the contractor, both contractor and customer must qualify, the environmental benefit must be secured for the grant-contract term, and the grant benefit must visibly reach the customer.
• Obtain required permits and comply with public procurement law where it applies. Keep the installation operating for at least ten years and allow checks of project records and performance. Notify KPC of ownership changes during this period.

Status

Dates not announced

Submit a complete application online to Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC) through the biomass boiler application form. Apply before the first binding order for services other than planning, delivery, construction start or any other commitment that makes the investment irreversible; the earliest event controls. Incomplete applications must be rejected. Upload the technical biomass boiler data sheet and a bank report for investment above €500,000. A bank report is also required if the investment is your main business purpose or the project is selected for EU co-financing, even without borrowing.

Provide offers to establish reasonable costs, and retain written proof of the order date. For this flat-rate programme, comparison offers are normally not required at final accounting. An exception applies if the first page of your grant contract identifies ELER co-financing, meaning EU funding for rural development. These projects must provide price quotations: one for an order worth €1,000–€5,000, two for an order above €5,000 up to €10,000, and three for an order above €10,000. Quotations from your linked or partner companies do not count as independent cost evidence. If the supplier is a linked or partner company, shares officers or shareholders with the purchaser, or can otherwise influence the purchaser’s business decisions, provide three comparison offers from suppliers independent of you, making four price quotations in total. Use the ELER cost-reasonableness form; KPC checks these quotations at final accounting and may reduce or remove costs whose reasonableness cannot be established. Cash-paid invoices are recognized only up to €5,000 net per supplier. Personnel work performed by your own staff, individual receipts below €500, taxes, fees, financing costs and discounts are among the excluded costs; consult the calculation guidance for the full cost rules. Regional grants may be combined within EU state-aid ceilings; declare other requested or received project support.

After KPC confirms receipt, construction may begin at your own risk. KPC assesses the application; after approval, return the signed acceptance declaration to make the grant contract effective. Report project changes promptly in writing before approval. Complete the project within 18 months after the grant contract is issued; exceptions require technical justification. Submit the final accounting form, invoices and payment evidence by the deadline in your grant contract. Costs must already be paid and, where eligible for recognition as assets, recorded as assets in your accounts.