‘Saving at Home’

Energy efficiency subsidy program details out today

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Guidelines and details for the latest edition of the Saving at Home subsidy program supporting energy efficiency upgrades of existing homes are expected to be announced today, ahead of a launch of the online platform by mid-December.

The latest edition, budgeted at 632 million euros, will offer subsidies covering as much as 75 percent of project costs.

The online platform’s launch date is expected to be announced today. Sources believe the platform will be opened for applications on December 15. The platform will remain open for 30 days from its date of launch.

The latest edition of the subsidy program will not offer different application deadlines based on geographical regions, as has been the case with previous editions.

In another change, priority will be given to applicants with greater need. The energy ministry, as part of a wider effort to counter energy poverty, has established a new and separate category to offer subsidies worth a total of 100 million euros to vulnerable households.

The new Saving at Home edition will also take into account the sharp price rise in building materials, increasing by 15 percent the subsidy program’s expense limits for a wide range of project materials.

 

Saving at Home energy efficiency subsidy applications from mid-November

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The latest edition of the Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of existing homes is expected to open for applications in mid-November.

The application period is planned to remain open to interested parties for one month. Unlike previous editions, for which applications were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, the new program’s prioritization will be based on a series of social and financial criteria.

Also, the energy ministry is considering to increase a project budget maximum for applicants to 200 euros per square meter from 180 euros per square meter as a result of recent price increases in building materials and equipment.

The latest Saving at Home edition is expected to provide energy sufficiency upgrade subsidies for a further 50,000 households throughout the country.

Applicants will need to own the properties to be upgraded and use them as their main homes. Applications will be limited to one person.

The energy efficiency upgrade subsidies will range from 40 to 75 percent of each project’s cost, depending on personal and family income criteria.

Criteria benefitting disabled persons, families with many children and single-parent families, as well as climate-related criteria for respective areas, have also been introduced for the new Saving at Home program.

Ministry working on Electra program for public building upgrades

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Besides its preparatory work for the next edition of the Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of homes, the energy ministry is also moving ahead with its Electra program, designed to subsidize upgrades of public buildings.

The Electra program, worth 500 million euros, will aim to provide energy savings totaling 230,000 MWh by 2025 as result of energy efficiency upgrades to public buildings.

Energy ministry officials aim to announce the Electra program’s details within the next two months so that interested eligible parties can begin preparing their applications.

Public office buildings, hospitals, medical clinics, schools and other education institutions, cultural centers, sport facilities, as well as care centers for the elderly, underprivileged and children will all be eligible for Electra program upgrade subsidies.

Buildings will need to be used at least eight months per year to be eligible for the program, according to one of the prerequisites expected to be set.

The Electra program will remain open for applicants until all its available funds have been absorbed.

Details imminent for October’s ‘Saving at Home’ subsidies

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The energy ministry is set, any day now, to announce the details of the next Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades ahead of its launch, planned for October, according to an announcement made by energy minister Kostas Skrekas late last month.

Once launched, the Saving at Home online platform will remain open for one month, the minister has informed, to give interested households sufficient time to submit all required supporting documents.

The ministry has set an objective for energy efficiency upgrades of 50,000 homes through the new program, a 38 percent increase compared to the previous cycle.

The new subsidy program, worth a total of 632 million euros, is expected to offer subsidies averaging 62 percent of energy efficiency project costs.

The annual objective for energy savings is expected to be exceeded by 108 percent.

A first-come, first-served criterion is being abandoned for this latest edition of the subsidy program. Instead, applications will be assessed based on energy-efficiency potential, income, and social criteria.

Priority will be given to low-income households, individuals with special needs, single-parent families, long-term unemployed, large families and households with increased energy needs.

The energy-saving potential of applications will be the most important criterion, representing a 50 percent coefficient in the overall assessment. Personal or family income levels will be the next most important factor, representing 15 percent of the overall assessment.

Details of new energy efficiency subsidies plan published this week

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The energy ministry’s plan for the latest edition of the “Saving at Home – Becoming Autonomous” program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades is expected to be published by the end of this week, possibly tomorrow, ahead of it launch, not expected before October.

The new subsidy program, worth a total of 632 million euros, is expected to offer subsidies averaging 62 percent of the respective total cost of energy efficiency projects.

This week’s announcement of the plan will give interested parties time to study the subsidy program’s details and prepare supporting documents for their applications.

A first-come, first-served criterion is being abandoned for this latest edition of the subsidy program. Instead, applications will be assessed based on energy-efficiency potential, income, and social criteria.

Priority will be given to low-income households, individuals with special needs, single-parent families, long-term unemployed, large families and households with increased energy needs.

The energy-saving potential of applications will be the most important criterion, serving as a 50 percent coefficient in the overall assessment. Personal or family income levels will be the next most important factor, representing 15 percent of the overall assessment.

New energy efficiency subsidies exclude PVs, vehicle rechargers

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The latest edition of the “Saving at Home – Becoming Autonomous” program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades, expected to be announced on Thursday by the energy and environment ministry, will focus on domestic energy efficiency upgrades and not offer subsidy support for domestic installations of photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle recharging units.

Applicants with income levels below the poverty line, deemed, by the ministry, as personal incomes of up to 5,000 euros per annum and family incomes of up to 12,000 euros per annum, will be given priority.

Also, low-income applicants will be entitled to greater subsidy amounts representing 65 percent of efficiency upgrade expenses.

The new subsidy program, planned to be launched in September, is expected to be worth 500 million euros. Successful applicants will each be entitled to subsidy support of up to 50,000 euros, unchanged from the program’s previous edition.

Applications will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis but, instead, priority will be determined by a combination of the following factors: applicant income level and number of people living in each household; age of building; and regional climate conditions.

Applicants who present plans promising to maximize energy efficiency levels with lower investment amounts will also be given priority.

 

New low-end income category for energy efficiency upgrade subsidies

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The energy ministry plans to add a sixth income bracket, covering low-income earners, to a latest and forthcoming edition of a Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of homes.

The additional category, promising to offer greater subsidy amounts for low-income earners, will apply for individuals with annual income levels of up to 5,000 euros and families with total annual income of up to 12,000 euros.

Applicants belonging to this category will be entitled to subsidies covering up to 65 percent of energy efficiency upgrade costs at homes.

According to sources, a project-cost maximum of 50,000 euros will be applied.

The latest edition of the Saving at Home, close to being finalized, is set for pre-announcement in preparation for the subsidy platform’s September launch.

Details imminent for next energy-efficiency subsidies offer

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The latest edition of the Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of homes is just about ready. Its details will most likely be announced next week by energy minister Kostas Skrekas in preparation for a launch of the applications platform in September, sources have informed.

The new edition will aim for energy efficiency upgrades of 50,000 homes and investments totaling one billion euros, the energy ministry’s secretary-general Alexandra Sdoukou informed during a speech at a recent TEE (Technical Chamber of Greece) event.

As has previously applied, applicants will need to submit plans upgrading the energy-efficiency ratings of their homes by three levels, determined by a points system, in order to qualify for subsidy support.

A revised appraisal system will be introduced. It will factor in the degree of energy savings promised by respective home upgrades as well as a points system with factors such as regional climate conditions; existing energy-efficiency ratings of buildings; age of buildings; as well as income levels of applicants combined with social criteria such as unemployment records, disabilities and single-parent family status.

RES spatial plan to be delivered within 2021, Action Plan notes

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The completion of a RES sector spatial plan within the current year has been included in an energy ministry Action Plan for 2021, just published along with the respective action plans of all other ministries.

The energy ministry’s action plan lists interventions planned for 2021 in nine areas under its authority, including energy-sector privatizations, energy market reforms, support for decarbonization and recycling, adoption of circular economic principles, greenhouse gas emission reduction, the tackling of climate change effects, as well as green energy transition.

RES sector measures this year will help cut down the time needed by new RES projects for licensing procedures to two years, the ministry anticipates in its action plan.

It also expects the installation, by the end of the year, of at least 2,000 recharging units for electric vehicles in public areas, including along highways, and at private properties, including domestic and commercial.

On the privatization front, the energy ministry expects all seven energy privatization plans to have been completed or reached an advanced stage by the end of the year.

On energy market reforms, the adoption of a remuneration mechanism for grid sufficiency, to replace a transitional mechanism remunerating flexibility, is a standout feature.

The energy ministry also intends to adopt, as Greek law, an EU directive promoting energy storage and demand response systems.

The ministry’s action plan also anticipates the signing of agreements this year for distribution network development and RES penetration support. It also expects DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, to announce a tender for the installation of smart power meters within the current year.

Taking into account plans by DEDDIE/HEDNO and power grid operator IPTO, the ministry expects investments in distribution and transmission networks to reach one billion euros this year.

Investments for gas network upgrades and expansion are expected to reach at least 300 million euros, primarily driven by projects planned by gas distributor DEDA, covering all areas around the country except for the wider Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly areas.

On international projects, the action plan notes that a Greek-Bulgarian gas pipeline project, the IGB, promising to significantly diversify Greece’s gas sources, will be completed by the end of 2021.

A latest edition of the Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of properties, budgeted at one billion euros, will stimulate work on 80,000 buildings in 2021, according the energy ministry’s action plan.

This activity will contribute to a National Energy and Climate Plan objective for an improvement, by 2030, of energy efficiency at buildings by 38 percent, reducing energy consumption to levels below those registered in 2007, the action plan notes.

 

New ‘Saving at Home’ plan to be based on heating subsidies model

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A latest edition of the Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades of households, expected to be announced towards the end of this coming summer, will be revised to feature climate and income criteria, reflecting a system already used to determine heating cost subsidy levels.

A chart previously prepared by the National Meteorological Service (EMY) to determine heating subsidy allocations will now also be adopted for the energy ministry’s latest Saving at Home program, sources informed.

The existing EMY model will be tweaked to better suit the Saving at Home program, taking into account both heating and cooling needs of individual households. Income criteria will also be taken into account, prioritizing lower-income households. Applicants with plans for energy efficiency upgrades of higher degree are also expected to benefit.

The EMY chart divides the country into 200,000 plots, offering respective details on average temperature levels and number of hours of heating needed in a day by households. A point system determines the level of heating subsidies entitled by each area.

The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) will also contribute to the energy ministry’s effort for the next Saving at Home program.

Saving at Home subsidy platform revisions made for broader access

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The Saving at Home subsidy program supporting energy efficiency upgrades of properties was relaunched today after being suspended for technical improvements to its online platform accepting applications.

Technical interventions were made to rectify a severe imbalance in the processing of bids that benefited larger-scale professionals of the building industry, such as big civil engineering firms using specialized software for swifter access to the platform.

Individuals and smaller firms, as a consequence, were blocked from the system, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis until subsidy funds allocated to specific regions around Greece are exhausted.

Interested parties now have a five-minute time limit to fill in application details and lodge their bids from the moment they enter the system. This time restriction will secure fairer play by offering broader access to the platform, energy ministry officials explained.

Revisions were also made to simplify application procedures for subsidy bids concerning apartment blocks. Subsequently, applicants belonging to this category do not need to provide bank account details until a latter date.

Today’s platform relaunch began with subsidy applications for the east Macedonia and Thrace region.

The online platform opens for west Macedonia residents on January 27, property owners in central Macedonia can submit applications as of January 29, while interested parties in Thessaly can lodge bids as of February 1. The category for apartment blocks opens February 3 for the entire country.

The platform’s opening time, 10am, remains unchanged.

Saving at Home subsidy platform restarting following improvements

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The Saving at Home subsidy program supporting energy efficiency upgrades of properties is set to be relaunched on January 25 after being suspended for two weeks to make technical improvements to its online platform accepting applications.

A severe imbalance in the processing of bids prompted the intervention.

Larger-scale professionals of the building industry, such as big civil engineering firms backed by specialized software, were able to achieve collective and swifter processing of their applications, blocking out, as a consequence, bids lodged by individuals or smaller professional firms.

Application deadlines for the remainder of regions around the country still not serviced have been deferred by two weeks.

Interested parties in the east Macedonia and Thrace region may lodge their subsidy applications as of January 25. The online platform opens for west Macedonia residents on January 27, property owners in central Macedonia can submit applications as of January 29, while interested parties in Thessaly can lodge bids as of February 1.

The category for apartment blocks opens February 3 for the entire country.

Swift action taken for Saving at Home subsidy platform issues

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The energy ministry is making technical improvements to an online platform accepting subsidy applications for energy efficiency upgrades of buildings following reports of a severe imbalance in the processing of bids.

‘Saving at Home’ subsidy program applications submitted by larger-scale professionals of the building industry, such as big civil engineering firms, are being processed collectively and making it through the system, blocking out, as a consequence, bids lodged by individuals or smaller professional firms.

Newly appointed energy minister Kostas Skrekas has ordered swift action for functional improvements of the platform after being notified of the imbalances by ministry officials and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).

Also, the minister has decided to delay, by two weeks, the starting date of the platform for the remainder of regions around the country still not serviced.

Conditions set for new energy efficiency category subsidies

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Four new categories included in the latest Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades at existing properties (photovoltaic systems with net metering; energy storage systems; vehicle recharging units; energy management systems) will only be made available for program applicants if older energy-saving categories (window frame replacement; external wall insulation; heating-cooling systems; hot water supply) are incorporated into applications and, in addition, elevate the energy status of residencies by at least three categories, according to a guide just released by the energy ministry.

The new program will feature offer energy efficiency upgrade subsidies of up to 85 percent and will be made available to virtually all property owners as income-related criteria will be relaxed. For example, families with annual income totals of as much as 120,000 euros will be eligible.

Greater subsidy amounts will also be made available for applicants following an increase of a previous 25,000-euro upper limit to 50,000 euros.

Professionals want more time ahead of energy upgrade offer

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Civil engineers and architects, citing inevitable lockdown-related obstacles, are calling for a delay in the launch of the latest Saving at Home program subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades and energy independence system installations at existing properties.

The Technical Chamber of Greece, the official technical advisor of the Greek state, could offer an opinion today or tomorrow on whether a delayed launch is necessary.

The energy ministry has not ruled out new dates, in various regions, for the launch of the subsidy program’s platform.

At present, the program is scheduled to start on November 30 in Crete, the north Aegean and the south Aegean. A December 2 starting date has been set for east Macedonia and Thrace. The starting date for west Macedonia is December 4 start and December 7 for central Macedonia. The dates for all other regions are: Thessaly – December 9; Epirus, Ionian Islands – December 11; Wider Athens area – December 14; mainland Greece, Peloponnese – December 16; western Greece – December 18. A January 11, 2021 starting date has been set for apartment blocks.

 

First look at new ‘Saving at Home’ program imminent, launch long way off

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A first impression of the latest Saving at Home subsidy program, supporting energy efficiency upgrades of existing properties, is expected within the next few days, possibly by the end of this week.

The energy ministry is preparing to announce details on categories eligible for the subsidy program, sources said.

Even so, the finalized plan is still be a long way off, the sources added, as numerous details need to be resolved before the subsidy platform can be launched.

Roof-mounted PVs, energy storage systems, smart home systems and electric vehicle recharging facilities will be added to the new program.

It will offer energy efficiency upgrade subsidies of up to 85 percent and be made available to virtually all property owners as income-related criteria will be relaxed. For example, families with annual income totals of as much as 120,000 euros will be eligible.

Greater subsidy amounts will also be made available for applicants following an increase of a previous 25,000-euro upper limit to 50,000 euros.

In addition, home owners with more than one property will be able to submit multiple subsidy applications. In such cases, a subsidy limit of 100,000 euros is expected to be imposed.

The new subsidy package will also include bonus amounts of 10 percent as COVID-19 premiums.

 

Energy efficiency upgrades subsidy platform facing delay

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The launch date of a latest Saving at Home subsidy program for energy efficiency upgrades of existing properties may be delayed beyond its scheduled November 2 date as a result of increased technical and administrative demands concerning the preparation of this program, expected to be broadened and feature new categories, authorities have noted.

The possibility of a delay in the launch of the subsidy program’s latest edition was also suggested by energy minister Costis Hatzidakis in comments to local radio station Thema 104.6 FM.

All efforts are being made for a launch of the latest subsidy program in early November, the minister noted.

The online platform used to facilitate applications for previous editions of the Saving at Home subsidy program is being rebuilt with technical support from the Hellenic Development Bank.

The new Saving at Home subsidy program, whose budget will total 850 million euros, will offer energy efficiency upgrade subsidies of up to 85 percent.

Roof-mounted PVs, energy storage systems, smart home systems and electric vehicle recharging facilities will be added to the new program.

 

Recovery fund support for RES assembly lines, wind farms

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Assembly lines for RES project equipment such as cables and pylons, as well as the development of infrastructure to host offshore wind farms, will feature in energy ministry proposals for funding support through the European Commission’s new recovery plan.

The environment and energy ministry, along with all other ministries, have been given until August 24 to submit their proposals to the Prime Minister’s office for project funding support through the European Commission’s new recovery tool, Next Generation EU.

The proposals from all ministries will then be shaped into a national plan that will then be delivered to Brussels in October for approval.

EU funding support for RES-sector assembly units and offshore wind farm infrastructure would come as an addition to other eco-friendly initiatives taken by the energy ministry, including a third round of subsidy support for domestic energy efficiency upgrades through the Saving at Home program; upcoming subsidies for electric vehicle purchases; green economy investments; and grid network development.

Thoughts for the development of RES equipment assembly lines in Greece had first been aired about a decade ago, but, at the time, the country’s RES sector was too small to make such plans feasible.

New wind farms offering a total capacity of 727.5 MW were connected to Greece’s grid last year, a record-level performance for the country.

 

Electromobility, home energy efficiency upgrade subsidies in pipeline

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The environment, transport and finance ministries are scheduled to sign a joint ministerial decision tomorrow for a subsidy program supporting electromobility purchases.

Once the joint ministerial decision is published in the government gazette, interested parties will be able to proceed with electric vehicle purchases and apply for subsidies by lodging related invoice information onto an online platform as soon as it is launched, approximately in mid-August.

Tomorrow’s joint ministerial decision will provide the program’s full details, including the procedure and eligibility criteria.

The program is expected to be divided into three categories for private owners, taxi drivers and companies. 

The package will offer subsidies of up to 6,000 euros for electric car purchases by private owners, plus additional bonuses if these purchases are combined with withdrawals of old vehicles.

Taxi drivers will be offered subsidies of up to 8,000 euros plus 2,500 euros for compulsory withdrawals of old taxis.

Companies will be offered subsidies of 5,500 euros for each of up to three electric car purchases. 

Besides the electromobility subsidy support program, the energy ministry is also preparing an updated Saving at Home package for energy efficiency upgrades of existing buildings. An initial guide is expected to be released next week.

The new Saving at Home program will offer subsidies for RES generation and storage, electric vehicle recharging stations, as well as smart home energy management systems.

Plans submitted will need to promise property energy efficiency lifts by at least three categories in order to be eligible.

Previous Saving at Home subsidy programs were limited to casing, doors, windows and heating-cooling systems, including insulation.

Over €500m secured for new energy efficiency upgrades fund

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Greece has secured over 500 million euros for a third “Saving at Home” subsidy program promoting energy efficiency upgrades of homes. This amount will stem from a sum of 32 billion euros allotted to Greece through the EU’s new post-coronavirus recovery package, energypress sources have informed.

The new program, to offer generous incentives to medium and high-income earners, will be set an objective to annually upgrade 60,000 homes into smart homes. This target could be raised to 80,000 homes buildings, according to some sources.

Smart energy management systems, electric vehicle recharging units and roof-mounted solar modules are among the projects to be eligible for subsidized funding through the new third round of the Saving at Home program, to be officially announced within the next few days ahead of a September launch.

The third Saving at Home program is expected to be followed by a long series of new-generation programs to become available from 2021 over a three-year period as part of a national strategy, now being shaped, to be funded by Greece’s 32 billion-euro share of the EU post-coronavirus recovery package.

According to energy ministry estimates, annual sums of at least 750 million euros are expected to be injected into smart home upgrades between 2021 and 2023, project activity that should reach a sum of between 2 and 2.5 billion euros.

Expanded energy efficiency upgrade program planned

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A new subsidy program for domestic energy efficiency upgrades, to replace a preceding Saving at Home model in autumn, will feature more ambitious objectives than those set in the National Energy and Climate Plan, be constantly open for applicants, carry greater capital, and apply for a wider range of energy efficiency interventions, including smart home technology installations, deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas has pointed out in an interview with Greek daily to Ethnos.

Over the past decade, some 130,000 homes were upgraded at a cost of 1.3 billion euros, but a swifter rate will be sought through the new subsidy program, the minister noted.

The achievement of national energy policy objectives will require some 60,000 domestic energy efficiency upgrades per year and approximately 8 billion euros in funds until 2030, Thomas explained, adding that Greece will seek greater capital amounts through the EU recovery fund.

“Due to the requirements created in the context of the recent macroeconomic conditions and forecasts, we are working on a modern and much more ambitious framework to reinforce household energy upgrades for a transition to a support system offering energy upgrades and autonomy,” Thomas noted. “The new program is a direct government response to the post-pandemic era, the aim being to boost economic activity in domestic value-added sectors such as construction, manufacturing of building materials and solar systems, and also strengthen households by reducing energy costs.”

An even wider base of households will be eligible for the new subsidy program, while increased subsidy rates will be offered if predetermined energy efficiency targets are achieved by interventions, he added.

 

‘Energy ministry policies crucial in effort to revitalize economy’

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The energy ministry’s policies promise to play a pivotal role in the challenge faced by the government to revitalize the national economy following lockdown, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has noted in an article featuring in GREEK ENERGY 2020, the energypress team’s latest annual publication covering the Greek energy sector.

Action is already being taken by the ministry through a decisive energy-sector agenda that aims for growth and is fully aligned with the European Green Deal, now a key economic growth tool throughout Europe, the minister notes.

New financial tools such as an EU recovery fund, worth 750 billion euros, according to a European Commission proposal, are designed to help the EU achieve its goal of transition towards a zero-emission economy through support for the gradual elimination of fossil-fuel dependence, RES growth and energy savings, the minister writes.

Greece is ready to make the most of this EU support package, effectively an additional NSRF funding program for the country promising capital worth around 32 billion euros, in order to achieve sustainable green-energy growth, according to Hatzidakis.

Besides decarbonization and RES development, other aspects incorporated into the energy ministry’s wider plan include:  electromobility growth; a third Saving at Home subsidy program for domestic energy-efficiency upgrades; reforms for greater competition, transparency and more attractive price offers in the energy market; reduced industrial energy costs; and energy-sector privatizations, the minister notes.

 

New EU support plan to boost energy-sector investments

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The decarbonization plan, a third round of the Saving at Home subsidy program for energy efficiency upgrades at buildings, the electric vehicle market growth effort and renewable energy-hydrogen development are seen capturing the lion’s share of energy-sector funds expected to be made available to the country through a wider European Commission support package proposal entitling Greece to 32 billion euros, plus funds from the new National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) covering 2021 to 2027.

Over ten billion euros could end up being absorbed for investments in these four sub-sectors, according to enerypress sources.

The energy ministry, taking this prospective influx into account, is now shaping preliminary energy-sector plans to comprise part of a wider government plan.

An upcoming series of energy-sector privatizations are being attached to these plans as the increasing importance of energy as a growth tool promises to intensify Greek and foreign investment interest.

According to latest estimates, the amount Greece will be entitled to through the European Commission’s Just Transition Fund, designed to support regions impacted by the EU’s decarbonization policy, now stands at 1.7 billion euros. The new Brussels support package could more-than-triple this amount, according to some early estimates.

Also, the third round of the Saving at Home energy efficiency upgrade program, estimated at 350 billion euros, could now end up reaching a level of about one billion euros as a result of the new Brussels support plan.

 

Energy upgrade subsidies of €350-400m expected in autumn

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A third round of the “Saving at Home” subsidy program, offering property owners support for energy efficiency upgrades, will make available a sum of between 350 and 400 million euros, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has indicated.

The subsidy program’s next round is expected to be launched in autumn, the minister noted, adding that the aim is to take its tally to one billion euros by the end of the year from the current total of between 600 and 650 million euros.

The program’s third round will be the final round to offer interested parties financial support through a combination of subsidies and interest-free loans.

Subsidy levels and income criteria are expected to be revised as the energy ministry wants to broaden the participation of households on average income levels, sources informed.

Under its existing format, the “Saving at Home” subsidy program divides eligible parties into seven categories, depending on income level, the highest category offering a 70 percent subsidy rate to lower-end income households.

At the other end, individuals with income levels of more than 35,000 euros per annum or households tallying family incomes of over 45,000 euros do not qualify for subsidies but are eligible for interest-free loans under the existing system.

The preceding second round of the “Saving at Home” program was offered last September.

Income upper limit for ‘Saving at Home’ subsidy program raised to €80,000

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An existing household income upper limit of 50,000 euros needed for qualification into the “Saving at Home” program, offering subsidies to property owners for domestic energy efficiency upgrades, will be increased to 80,000 euros for the program’s imminent next offering.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis is expected to announce the subsidy program’s revised terms, widening the pool of eligible parties, during the day.

The latest “Saving at Home” program, offering subsidies or interest-free loans for energy efficiency upgrades, is expected to be launched on July 12.

The new package is believed to be worth a total of 270 million euros. Applicants will be able to receive as much as 25,000 euros for their energy efficiency upgrades.

The “Saving at Home” program offers financial support for window and window pane replacements; installations or upgrades of external wall insulation systems; heating and cooling system upgrades; as well as RES-based water heating.

 

 

New energy saving subsidy program for aggregators

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The energy ministry is working on a new energy efficiency subsidy program for homes and businesses to be offered alongside a new round of the ‘Saving At Home’ program, scheduled to be launched in June.

Unlike the ‘Saving At Home’ subsidy program, the new energy efficiency program will be based on a competitive procedure whose aim will be to maximize energy cost savings per euro in subsidized support, energypress sources informed.

Aggregators – major-scale construction firms or enterprises specializing in energy efficiency technologies – will be able to participate in descending-price auctions. The winning bidder will then reach out to households and businesses and take on the task of maximizing energy cost savings for eligible parties through a range of options.

A total of 36 million euros is available for the prospective program. A fraction of this amount is planned to be offered within 2019 for a pilot program intended to spot and correct any problems ahead of a full-scale launch.

The overall effort remains at a preliminary stage. One of a variety of competitive procedures that have already been implemented in other parts of Europe will be picked after these are fully surveyed.

Co-funding with banks ‘needed to reach EU energy savings target’

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Co-funding in association with private banks for environmental upgrades of houses and buildings will be necessary if an EU energy savings target of 32.5 percent by 2030 is to be achieved, European Commission officials believe.

EU subsidy programs, alone, cannot suffice to cover the annual cost, until 2030, of environmental upgrades around the EU, estimated at 170 billion euros, Brussels officials have noted.

The European Commission has established partnerships with 45 European banks committed to extending home loans incorporating extra amounts for energy upgrade work.

The European Commission also plans to support energy upgrades of public buildings.

 

 

 

 

‘Saving at Home’ subsidies platform still malfunctioning

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An electronic platform launched for a follow-up “Saving at Home” program, offering a new round of subsidies to property owners for domestic energy efficiency upgrades, is continuing to malfunction following a recent crash prompted by a rush of applications.

The energy ministry-hosted platform (exoikonomisi.ypen.gr) was relaunched three days ago but its access has been patchy, at best.

Last night, an energy ministry announcement was uploaded onto the platform noting the website would remain closed until 8am today. It was still closed at this time and a new announcement postponing the opening time by two hours was uploaded. The platform eventually opened but its inconsistency has yet to convince that the technical problems are over.

It is believed that a swelling number of interested parties, in the thousands, have struggled to enter the platform since Monday’s launch. A total of 17,500 applications were submitted by yesterday, according to an energy ministry announcement.

A main opposition New Democracy party MP, Kostas Skrekas, stressing the “Saving at Home” program has been delayed by three years and postponed three times, demanded a public apology from energy minister Giorgos Stathakis and assurances that the platform’s technical issues have been resolved.

According to the ministry, the program’s budget is worth 250 million euros and can cover approximately 40,000 applications.

Following the platform’s initial crash, the energy ministry decided to geographically divide the application dates, eginning with of east Macedonia, Thrace, central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, and western Greece three days ago.

As of March 26, the platform is planned to open for households in the Peloponnese, central Greece, west Macedonia, the Ionian Sea islands, north Aegean islands and Crete. An April 2 starting date has been set for applicants from the wider Athens area and southern Aegean.

 

Upgrade funds suffice, ministry assures after platform crash

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Responding to the collapse of an electronic platform set up for a follow-up “Saving at Home” program offering subsidies to property owners for domestic energy efficiency upgrades, the energy ministry has promised the program possesses enough funds for all in an effort to cut back on the rush of applications that prompted the crash to further delay the platform’s launch.

According to the energy ministry, 1.5 million attempts were made within a few hours to enter the electronic platform. Many of these attempts are believed to have been made by agencies representing groups of customers.

The ministry, in an announcement, promised that more funds would be injected into the program if needed. At present, 17,700 households possess energy efficiency certification, needed for eligibility, well under the 40,000 that may be serviced by the 250 million euros currently available, the ministry noted.

The launch of the electronic platform, donated to the energy ministry by the Hellenic Bank Association (HBA), has been severely delayed.

Besides assuring interested parties that the subsidy program’s funds more than cover demand, the energy ministry has now geographically divided application dates.

This coming Monday, when officials will once again attempt to launch the electronic platform, applications will be limited to households in the regions of east Macedonia, Thrace, central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, and western Greece. As of March 26, the platform will be open for households in the Peloponnese, central Greece, west Macedonia, the Ionian Sea islands, north Agean islands and Crete. Applicants in the wider Athens area and southern Aegean will be able to submit applications as of April 2.

 

Bank association donates IS for new ‘Saving at Home’ program

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The Hellenic Bank Association (HBA) has donated to the energy ministry a comprehensive information system to be used as an electronic platform for a follow-up “Saving at Home” program offering subsidies to property owners for domestic energy efficiency upgrades.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis and the bank association’s head official Nikos Karamouzis signed a related agreement earlier today.

Based on the agreement, banks will gradually be linked to the information system as of February 15. This procedure is expected to be completed by the end of the month when households interested in subsidy support for energy efficiency upgrades will be able to begin submitting applications.

A joint ministerial decision launching the new “Saving at Home” program is expected to be signed within the next few days.

Besides developing and providing the information system, the banking association will also offer related maintenance services for a year, according to the service level agreement (SLA) signed with the energy ministry. The donation’s value is estimated at 251,000 euros.

Unlike its precursor, the follow-up “Saving at Home” subsidy program will enable interested parties to submit applications electronically.