From tomorrow the submission of applications to the ‘Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises in the tertiary sector’ programme

As of tomorrow (12.3.2024) applications for inclusion in the ‘Improving the energy efficiency of the tertiary sector’ will be submitted, a budget of EUR 176.75 million, financed by the Recovery Fund, according to the announcement of the Ministry of Finance. The programme was signed by Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr.Thodoros Skylakis, Deputy Minister for National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis and the Deputy Minister for Environment and Energy, Mrs. Alexandra Sdoukou. The aim of the project is the energy upgrading of buildings and non-building facilities of existing businesses- very small, small, medium, large and very large-scale- of the Greek Territory. Businesses are active in eligible Activity Codes (CDCs) from the sectors of trade, services, focus, the production of bakery and pastries, as well as tourism. It is also noted that these companies should have Greek VAT and be active at the date of submission of the application. Especially for tourist enterprises, the right to participate shall have as many, in accordance with the operating mark or notification as possible, capacity not exceeding 200 beds. The budget – public expenditure and private participation, without VAT – of any investment proposal for a potential beneficiary of aid may not exceed EUR 500,000 for the tourism sector and, respectively, may not exceed EUR 250,000 for the trade and service sector. The beneficiary companies will receive aid for the implementation of interventions concerning: energy upgrading of building shells (e.g. thermal insulation, the installation of shading systems), energy saving in space heating systems (replacement of boilers from heat pumps) and cooling spaces (replacement of cooling), ventilation, hot water use, replacement of energy-intensive equipment related to the production process of the services provided (e.g. ovens, refrigerators), etc. The rate of aid for eligible expenditure may be up to 65%. It depends on the type and size of the business. Applications for funding under the programme: ‘Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises in the tertiary sector’ shall be submitted through the electronic platform: by 31-3-2024. The first in-First out method applies to the programme. In fact, to inform the public, for the better and timely preparation of stakeholders, the programme was pre-published on 14.2.2024, on the official websites of the Ministries of National Economy and Finance and Environment and Energy. This initiative shall be implemented within the framework of the action: “Economy – Business”, supported by the Recovery and Durability Fund. On the occasion of the announcement of the programme, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr.Theodoros Skylakis, said: “Businesses from all over the country and of every size, with a scope of action from focus, trade and other services to tourism, as well as bakeries, benefit from the programme we announce. From “Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises in the tertiary sector” as its title, beneficiaries ensure significant financial support for the implementation of actions that will help them to save energy and thus money, while also upgrading their business energy, contributing to the effort to reduce emissions and thus to protect the environment.” Mr Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance, stressed: “The start of submission of applications to the Third Sector Energy Efficiency Programme, funded by the Recovery and Durability Fund, is yet another proof of the importance we attach to business support and at the same time to Green Transition, a key axis of which is the energy upgrading of the country’s building stock and the transition to a new energy model environmentally friendly. Actions such as this, contribute to achieving the strategic objective of changing the country’s productive model, strengthening the growth path of the economy, strengthening investment and entrepreneurship, improving the everyday life and incomes of our fellow citizens.” Undersecretary of State for Environment and Energy, Mrs Alexandra Sdoukou, noted: “A new flagship action on energy upgrading begins on 12 March 2024. With a total budget of EUR 176.75 million, resources from the Recovery and Durability Fund, the programme “Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises in the tertiary sector” aims at tourism, services and trade businesses, enabling significant interventions both in buildings and equipment to ultimately save energy and pollutants. We thus contribute to the fulfilment of the national objective for the gradual transition of our country to climate neutrality, while strengthening green and environmentally friendly entrepreneurship.”