From tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, applications can be submitted for inclusion in the program of the Ministry of Environment and Energy: “Improving the energy efficiency of companies in the tertiary sector”, with a budget of 176.75 million euros.

The relevant announcement for its launch was signed by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Thodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou and the Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, Nikos Papathanasis.

The purpose of the program is energy upgrading buildings and non-building facilities of existing businesses – very small, small, medium, large and very large – of the Greek Territory, which are active in eligible Activity Code Numbers (KAD) from the sectors of trade, services, catering, bakery production and sweets, as well as tourism. It is also noted that they must have a Greek VAT number and be active on the date of submission of the application for participation.

Especially for tourist businesses, those that (according to the operating mark or the notification submitted) have a capacity that does not exceed 200 beds have the right to participate.

The subsidized budget (public expenditure and private participation, excluding VAT) of each investment proposal of a potential aid beneficiary cannot exceeds 500,000 euros for the tourism sector and respectively it cannot exceed 250,000 euros for the trade and services sector.

The benefiting companies will receive support for the implementation of interventions, concerning: energy upgrading of the building envelope (e.g. thermal insulation, installation of shading systems), energy saving in space heating systems (replacement of boilers with heat pumps), but also space cooling ( replacement of coolers), ventilation of spaces, domestic hot water, replacement of energy-consuming equipment related to the production process of the services provided (e.g. ovens, refrigerators), etc. The percentage of support for eligible expenses can reach up to 65%. It depends on the type of them, as well as on the size of the business.

Applications, for the purpose of financing in the framework of the program: “Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises of the tertiary sector”, are submitted through an electronic platform (https://exoikonomoepixeiro.energy-invest.gov.gr) until March 31, 2024. The program uses the direct evaluation method (First in-First out).

In fact, for the information of the public, for better and timely preparation of those interested, the program was pre-published on 14.2.2024, on the official websites of the two Ministries.

This initiative is implemented in the framework of the action: “Saving – Doing Business”, with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

On the occasion of the announcement of the program, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodore Skylakakis, said: “Businesses from all over the country and of all sizes, with a field of action from catering, trade and other services to tourism, as well as bakeries, benefit from the program we are announcing. From the “Improving the energy efficiency of companies in the tertiary sector” as its title is, the beneficiaries ensure significant financial support for the implementation of actions that will help them save energy and consequently money, while at the same time they will upgrade their business energetically, contributing in the effort to reduce emitted pollutants, therefore also in the protection of the environment”.

The Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Alexandra Sdoukou, noted: “A new flagship action for energy upgrading starts from March 12, 2024. With a total budget of 176.75 million euros, resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the program “Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises of the tertiary sector” targets the enterprises of tourism, services and trade, giving the possibility of significant interventions both in the buildings and in the equipment with the final result of saving energy and pollutants. We thus contribute to the fulfillment of the national goal for our country’s gradual transition to climate neutrality, while simultaneously strengthening green and environmentally friendly entrepreneurship.”

The Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, Nikos Papathanasis, underlined: “The start of the submission of applications to the Program “Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises of the tertiary sector”, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund, is yet another proof of the importance we attach to the support of enterprises and at the same time to the Green Transition, a key the axis of which is the energy upgrade of the country’s building stock and the transition to a new environmentally friendly energy model. Actions such as this one contribute to the achievement of the strategic goal of changing the country’s production model, to strengthening the development trajectory of the economy, to strengthening investments and entrepreneurship, to improving the daily life and incomes of our fellow citizens”.