The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is targeting €95bn (£79.5bn) of investing for 2025, after deploying a “record” €89bn in new financing in 2024.
The EU state development lender prioritised making investments in the bloc’s energy security last year, mobilising more than €100bn for projects in new and upgraded infrastructure such as grids and interconnectors, renewables, net-zero industries, efficiency and storage.
Almost 60 per cent of the total financing supported the green transition, climate action and environmental sustainability.
Financing for security and defence projects doubled to €1bn in 2024, with a further doubling planned in 2025.
“We have broken records with our financing in 2024,” said EIB Group president Nadia Calviño.
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“We have made ourselves ready to support EU priorities in this new political mandate. And we will play an even more relevant role in 2025 – building on the excellent performance of the EIB Group to increase our impact, bolstering Europe’s security and competitiveness with strategic and ambitious investments.”
In the year ahead, the EIB Group plans to increase its overall investments to €95bn, with flagship initiatives to support European tech champions and a dedicated TechEU programme, critical raw materials, water management, the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized companies, and a dedicated platform to promote sustainable and affordable housing.
The EIB Group also noted that it has stepped up its higher-risk activities. This led to the group supporting a record €7.2bn of investments by the European Investment Fund (EIF) in the equity funds ecosystem last year, and €1bn in venture debt.
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More than €14bn was deployed by the EIF to support Europe’s small businesses and innovators, including in 102 venture capital funds.
In the year ahead, the group intends to maintain its 60 per cent green finance target, and to scale up support for tech companies.
The EIB Group will create a pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing, together with the European Commission and increased financing for the housing sector.
It will also offer new support for Europe’s farmers through agricultural insurance and other de-risking schemes.
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