[hn_title heading=”3″]Incentives for energy efficiency of public administration and enterprises[/hn_title]
At the end of May 2016, the new Conto Termico 2.0, a long-awaited decree that contains important incentives for energy efficiency interventions and thermal energy production from renewable sources, will come into effect.
The Conto Termico is a mechanism introduced in 2012 that allows people to apply for incentives to cover financing for energy efficiency improvements in buildings and production systems.
At last this important tool is being revamped, and updated, introducing new incentives and simplifying access to these resources.
[hn_title heading=”3″]Who Benefits from the Economic Incentives of the Conto Termico 2.0?[/hn_title]
The beneficiaries of the incentives are public administrations including public asset companies, social cooperative societies and other entities specified by the decree; 200 of the 900 million euros per year defined by the Conto Termico are allocated to this category.
The remaining 700 million euros, on the other hand, is intended for businesses and individuals who can applydirectly or through an ESCO.
900 MILLION EUROS ANNUALLY, INCLUDING 200 MILLION EUROS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
[hn_title heading=”3″]What are the Main Novelties?[/hn_title]
The renewal of the decree has brought so many new features, and will greatly facilitate access to incentives by applicants to help promote a “more efficient country”; here are the changes in CT 2.0:
- Expansion of access arrangements and those eligible to apply for incentives
- Introduction of new energy efficiency measures
- Increase in the size of eligible facilities
- Streamlining the direct access procedure.
In addition, it is possible to apply for incentives in a single installment up to a maximum of €5,000 while also obtaining a reduction in payment time from 6 to 2 months.
[hn_title heading=”3″]The interventions eligible for incentives from the new Conto Termico[/hn_title]
The new Conto Termico provides for a range of interventions eligible for incentives depending on the type of applicant, here is a brief summary taken from the GSE website:
| CAT A)
Interventions to increase energy efficiency in existing buildings(RESTRICTED TO PAs) |
Envelope efficiency
|
| Replacement of existing winter air conditioning systems with higher-efficiency systems (e.g., condensing boilers) |
| CAT. B)
Small-scale interventions of thermal energy production from renewable sources and high-efficiency systems |
Replacement of existing systems with generators powered by renewable sources:
|
| Installation of solar thermal systems also combined with solar cooling technology for cold production |
[hn_title heading=”3″]How to apply for incentives[/hn_title]
For energy efficiency improvement, those specified by the decree can access incentives through two ways:
- DIRECT ACCESS
Direct application for incentives can be made by PAs and private entities within 60 days of the completion of works. They will have to enter the data on the Portal ( thePortaltermico, a GSE portal dedicated to managing the submission of requests for the granting/booking of incentives) and indicating the interventions carried out and make the request for the granting of incentives. The GSE will take a maximum of 60 days to conduct the investigation and disburse the incentives.
There is also a simplified process for installation work on small appliances contained in the Household Appliance Catalog.
- BOOKING VIA ESCO
Dedicated to interventions yet to be carried out by PAs and ESCOs acting on their behalf; booking is done through the budget application form (again through Portaltermico) and involves the disbursement of an initial down payment at start-up and the balance upon completion of the work.
THE HEAT BILL UNLIKE TAX DEDUCTIONS, REPRESENTS A PERMANENT INCENTIVE MEASURE
