Pre-publication of the program “Improving the energy efficiency of companies in the tertiary sector”

The program of the yMinistry of Environment and Energy was published, with the title: “Improving the energy efficiency of tertiary enterprises sector”, amounting to €176.75 million. The initiative is implemented within the framework of the action: “Saving – Doing Business”, with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

More specifically, the program has been posted on the official website of the ministry. It concerns the energy upgrade of buildings and non-building facilities companies that are active in one of the following sectors: trade and other services and tourism.

The exact time period for submitting applications will be determined during its announcement, which is expected to be signed, shortly, by theMinister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodore Skylakakisand the Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis.

The beneficiaries

The program is aimed at existing businesses –small (including very small), medium, large and very large – which are active in the Greek Territory, in eligible Activity Code Numbers (KAD) from the branches of trade, services, catering, bakery and confectionery production, as well as tourism, have a Greek VAT number and are active on the date of submission of the application for participation. In particular, for businesses in the tourism sector, the right to participate has the right to participate, which, according to the operating mark or the notification submitted, has a capacity that does not exceed 200 beds.

Businesses interested in aid from the program will be able to submit one and unique funding application per TIN. To join the program, it is necessary to submit an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and/or an Energy Audit Report, depending on the eligible interventions.

Boost Height

The exact amount of aid will be determined, taking into account the aid rate and the maximum budget of eligible expenses.

The aid rate for the total eligible costs of the investment projects, reaches up to 65%, depending on the type of intervention (buildings and non-building facilities) and the size of the business.

Accordingly, for the subsidized budget (public expenditure and private participation, excluding VAT) of each investment proposal of a potential aid beneficiary, the following applies:

  • cannot exceed the amount of 500,000 euros for the tourism sector
  • cannot exceed the amount of .250000 euros for the other sectors

Eligible expenses

The beneficiary companies will receive support, in order to implement interventions:

  • building envelope energy upgrade, such as thermal insulation, installation of shading systems
  • energy upgrade of the lighting system, from new LED technology, installation of automations to reduce consumption due to the absence/presence of users
  • saving energy in space heating systems, such as replacing boilers with heat pumps
  • energy saving in space cooling systems, such as replacing coolers
  • energy saving in space ventilation systems
  • energy saving in domestic hot water systems
  • installation of Renewable Energy Sources systems, such as solar thermal systems
  • installation of compensation system
  • installation of automation, control and management systems at local and central level,
  • replacement of energy-consuming equipment related to the production process of the services provided (e.g. ovens, refrigerators)

Within the framework of the program, supporting services are also financed at a rate of up to 7% of the eligible budget and with a upper limit of 30,000 euros. These include the following:

  • energy auditor services for drawing up an energy audit report (initial and final)
  • energy inspector services for issuing energy performance certificates (initial and final)
  • development and certification of an energy management system, according to the ISO 50001 standard
  • monitoring and management consultant services
  • preparation of studies and research of any kind, which are deemed necessary for the implementation of the energy audit results report, related to the objectives of the action

It is noted that the supplied equipment should be modern, new, unused and become the ownership of the company. VAT is not eligible, as well as expenses for maintenance and repair of equipment already used by the business are not eligible.

The start date of expenditure eligibility is defined as the date of publication of the detailed announcement of the program and the eligibility end date is July 30, 2025.

The implementation period of each energy upgrade investment project cannot exceed 15 months from the date of issuance of the proposal inclusion decision.

For each energy upgrade investment project that will be submitted and subsidized under the program, the minimum energy target is determined as follows:

  • primary energy savings of at least 40%
  • reduction of emitted pollutants (CO2) by at least 35%
  • for the building(s) or building unit included in the energy upgrade investment plan, it should be achieved by the implementation of the plan to upgrade its energy category, based on an Energy Performance Certificate (PEA) by at least two energy classes, in relation to the existing classification (or mandatory B+ class, when it is a radical renovation).

Submit applications

Enterprises that wish to participate in “Exiokonomo Emphirio”, will submit, when the program is activated, a funding application, through its electronic platform (https://exoikonomo-epixeiro2023.gov.gr/). The method of direct evaluation (First in-First out) will be applied to the program.

See the Call to Action here.