KARLSRUHE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

The operation will support parts of Karlsruhe's local utility's multi-annual, rolling investment programme (2025-2029) in the energy sector, aimed at upgrading infrastructure within its energy business units. Specifically, the investment schemes focus on the refurbishment and expansion of the electricity distribution and district heating networks. New generation capacities to be installed include heat pumps, heat accumulators, and large-scale electricity storage.

The aim is to enable the promoter to connect new users as well as to maintain or improve the reliability and quality standards of electricity and district heating supply. The project will contribute to the EIB's lending priority related to Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability as well as REPowerEU objectives. Additionally, it will support the EIB's Energy lending policy themes on Securing the Enabling Infrastructure (electricity and district heating networks) and Decarbonising Energy Supply (district heating).

Some of the project's components could require the competent national authority to determine the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project schemes envisaged for financing, however, are expected to have limited residual environmental impact and none of them are expected to meet the requirements for an EIA. Nevertheless, where and if applicable and based on a risk-based approach as defined in the EIB's Environmental and Social Standards Policy, the requirements of the relevant EU Directives will be checked during appraisal. Moreover, the EIB will contractually ensure that any EIA or nature conservation area impact assessment will be completed and will receive approval from the competent authorities prior to allocating the EIB's funds to the project scheme.

Under EU procurement policies, the promoter, as a public undertaking in the utilities sector, is considered a contracting authority. The EIB will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the project's implementation are tendered in compliance with applicable EU procurement legislation.