As we have already seen in the blog, Spanish SMEs can obtain certain grants and funding if they carry out a series of activities or invest in some aspects. Thus, they can obtain funds if they carry out research and development, have an innovative component, are committed to sustainability and also if they try to improve their energy efficiency.
The IDAE (Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving) It is a body under the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Secretary of State for Energy, which oversees this aspect and whose activity focuses on renewable energies and other technologies that reduce the carbon footprint. Within this framework, the organization carries out dissemination and training tasks, technical advice, development of specific programs and is also responsible for the financing of technological innovation and replicable projects. As detailed on its website, the IDAE has legal personality its own and has the power to participate in “investment projects in the fields of energy savings and efficiency, renewable energies and their storage, as well as in energy demand management projects that, due to their innovative nature or uniqueness, respond to their purposes and functions”.
Grants offered by the IDAE
The institute offers a wide range of grants for individuals, neighborhood communities and local or municipal entities, but also for companies.Within the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) funds, it offers a line of aid amounting to 316 million euros for Investment in Renewables, Thermal and Electricity. Given their nature, they are distributed by the IDAE in each autonomous community. This means that the calls set a maximum level of assistance to be requested. The less quantity they ask for, the more points they get, which increases their chances of obtaining aid. To determine if it is granted to them, the agency is based on criteria of location (if they are in a Just Transition zone), administrative viability (the most advanced in administrative matters are valued better) and other positive externalities (degree of innovation, citizen participation, whether it fights against energy poverty, etc.). These grants are non-refundable and are governed by the principle of competitive competition. Legal entities can be beneficiaries, but also groups, communities and individuals.
Grant program for energy efficiency actions in SMEs and large companies in the industrial sector (FNEE)
The industry represents 25% of total national oil consumption and IDAE understands that it has enormous savings potential. Based on the National Energy Efficiency Plan 2014-2020 and to meet the savings objectives set by the European Commission, it is sought that SMEs and large companies in the industrial sector implement energy management systems to improve their efficiency. This line has funds amounting to more than 307 million euros, which are allocated to those companies that improve technology in industrial equipment and processes with a maximum economic energy ratio of 14,379 (eligible investment/savings tep of final energy in one year) or that they implement energy management systems with a maximum economic energy ratio of 14,501. This aid, whose application deadline is open until December 31, is free of charge and covers a maximum of 30% of the eligible investment. In addition, it is important to know that only investments made after registering the application for aid will be eligible, not with retroactive effects. Companies considered to be SMEs or large companies in the industrial sector whose CNAE 2009 corresponds to:
07 Extraction of metallic minerals.08 Other extractive industries.09 Activities to support the extractive industry.10 Food industry.11 Manufacture of beverages. 13 Textile industry.14 Manufacture of garments.15 Leather and footwear industry.16 Wood and cork industry, except furniture, basketry and book.17 Paper industry.18 Graphic arts and reproduction of engraved supports.19 Coking and oil refining.20 Chemical industry.21 Manufacture of pharmaceutical products.22 Manufacture of rubber products plastics.23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products24 Metallurgy; Manufacture of iron, steel and ferroalloys.25 Manufacture of metal products, except machinery and equipment.26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products.27 Manufacture of electrical material and equipment.28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.c.o.p.29 Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers.30 Manufacture of other transport material.31 Manufacture of furniture.32 Other manufacturing industries.33 Repair and installation of machinery and equipment.35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning36 Water collection, purification and distribution37 Waste water collection and treatment38 Waste collection, treatment and disposal; valorization39 Decontamination activities and other waste management services
