Chrysostomos Tsoufis

Wait 24 more hours for businesses that want to improve their energy efficiency and thus save money as the SAVE-BUSINESS program platform is expected to open according to with information from shortly after noon on Tuesday, March 12.

Applications will be made at https://exoikonomoepixeiro.energy-invest.gov.gr

The program with a total budget of €200m is aimed at very small, small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 250 employees and an annual turnover that does not exceed €50m.

€100m will be directed to the trade and services sector and the remaining €100m to tourist businesses up to 200 beds. Once the program’s resources are exhausted, it is possible to increase them.

The percentage of the subsidy depending on the eligible costs of the investment plan to be presented can reach up to 65% as long as the plan leads to a 40% saving in primary energy and a 35% reduction in emitted carbon dioxide (CO2) pollutants.

Investment proposals candidates for subsidy cannot exceed €500,000 for tourism businesses and €250,000 for other sectors (VAT not included).

Interventions that are eligible for a subsidy include, among others:

  • 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
  • Energy saving 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 such as replacement of fans
  • Energy saving in domestic hot water systems
  • Installation of Renewable Energy Sources systems, such as solar thermal systems, photovoltaic systems and small wind turbines
  • Power quality improvement systems
  • 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)

The duration of the implementation of each energy upgrade investment project cannot exceed 15 months from the date of issuance of the decision to include the proposal.

A special feature of the program is the financing of the so-called supporting services at a rate of up to 7%, with a maximum of €30,000.

The supporting services include the services of an energy auditor for the preparation of an energy audit report (initial and final), the services of an energy inspector for the issuance of energy performance certificates (initial and final), the development and certification of an energy management system, according to the ISO 50001 standard, services monitoring and management consultant and preparation of studies and research of any kind, which are deemed necessary for the implementation of the energy audit results report.