Spain presents a proposed 500 million investment to enhance energy efficiency in industries and services

The Spanish government has announced the launch of two significant energy efficiency programs aimed at promoting sustainable practices and reducing energy consumption in the tertiary and industrial sectors. These programs, part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), are expected to contribute significantly to the country's energy savings goals and climate objectives.

The Energy Efficiency Program for SMEs and large companies in the industrial sector will focus on improving technology in industrial equipment and processes, with savings of more than 10%. On the other hand, the PREE tertiary program will concentrate on improving the thermal envelope of buildings, energy efficiency of lighting installations, and automation and control systems in administrative, healthcare, commercial, educational, public residential, cultural, recreational, sports, catering, people transport, and places of worship centers. Both programs are expected to achieve energy savings of 20% and 200 million euros and 300 million euros, respectively, will be allocated for their implementation.

Existing buildings in the tertiary sector are responsible for around 30% of final energy consumption, making energy rehabilitation a priority. The PREE tertiary program will be managed differently, with the State approving funds and establishing general lines, while the communities will publish the respective calls. The communities will also be responsible for the evaluation and verification of the programs.

The Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE) will coordinate, monitor budgetary and energy results, and be responsible for coordination. Aid in both programs will be granted as a grant. The beneficiary must justify the fulfillment of the subsidizable action in time and form, in accordance with the requirements established by the autonomous communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, to receive the aid.

These programs are in line with the European Union's goal of promoting energy efficiency, with the aim of all member countries investing in this area and achieving significant energy savings, heating, etc. They will also count towards the energy savings established in Directive (EU) 2023/1791.

The tertiary sector is responsible for 18% of the energy savings effort to be achieved by 2030 in accordance with the European legislative framework. The energy efficiency aid programs will contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2023-2030.

There are precedents of similar aid programs in the industry, such as Royal Decree 263/2019, which distributed 652 million euros to the autonomous communities and enabled the completion of 2,628 energy efficiency projects in the industry, saving 816 ktep. The recognition applications for the energy efficiency programs for the secondary sector and large and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector will open in October 2023.

In conclusion, these energy efficiency programs are a significant step towards a more sustainable future for Spain. They demonstrate the government's commitment to investing in energy efficiency and promoting cleaner, more efficient practices in the tertiary and industrial sectors. The programs will not only help reduce energy consumption but also contribute to the country's overall energy savings goals and climate objectives.

Spain presents a proposed 500 million investment to enhance energy efficiency in industries and services