The time is counting down for the platform to open for applications to be made in the new round of “Save” energy-vulnerable households. According to reliable information, the platform for submitting applications is expected to be open by the end of July at the latest.
However, apart from energy-vulnerable citizens, it is being considered that all households whose homes have been affected by extreme weather phenomena can join the specific program, something that remains to be decided in the next few days. The program has a budget of 60 million euros and the average subsidy is estimated to be as high as 12,500 euros. “Save 2023” is subsidized by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The program aims to improve the energy class of households, by saving more than 30% of primary energy for each building, through energy upgrading by at least three energy categories.
It is worth noting that in addition to “Excoionamo” for energy-vulnerable households, the platform for submitting applications to “Excoionmo 2024” with a total initial budget of 700 million euros is expected to open in the fall. “enikonomia” lists a detailed guide with the conditions and criteria set for an energy-vulnerable citizen to be able to join “Esconom”.
Who are the potential beneficiaries of the program?
The new cycle of the Save program, which will open in the next few days, concerns energy-vulnerable households. In particular, potential beneficiaries are natural persons who have a right in rem – full ownership, usufruct, small ownership – in an eligible residence, i.e. a single-family house or apartment that exists legally, is used as a main residence, which has not been deemed to be demolished and has been listed under the First Energy Certificate Performance (A’ P.E.A.) in a category lower than or equal to C.
What are the incomes that beneficiaries must have?
For each potential beneficiary, the annual individual income must not exceed 5,000 euros and the family income must not exceed 10,000 euros.
What is the maximum subsidy amount?
The maximum grant rate is 75% of the cost in the case of owner-occupation by the applicant and 65% in the case of free concession to another person or rental, respectively. It is estimated that the average subsidy can reach 12,500 euros.
How can private participation be covered?
The private participation for the implementation of the interventions can be covered by the beneficiaries of the program either with own funds or with a loan agreement, for the amount they choose or that will be approved by the financial organization, or with a combination of these.
In case of entering into a loan agreement, it is possible to guarantee the program to secure the loan to the financial institutions. The guarantee covers the loan amount at 100% for owner-occupancy cases and at 80% for rent-free concession cases, taking into account state aid rules. The interest rate of the loan agreement for the needs of the program is fixed and subsidized, at a rate of 100%.
What are eligible expenses?
In the framework of the program, interventions related to the following five basic categories of expenses are eligible:
- Replacement of frames
- Installing/upgrading thermal insulation
- Heating/cooling system upgrade
- Domestic hot water system using Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
- Installation of a smart management system (smart home)
It is worth pointing out that VAT is an eligible expense for the program and is declared separately in the documents. If suppliers are subject to a reduced VAT regime or are exempt from the obligation to submit a declaration and pay tax, the applicable VAT rate must be declared.
It is noted that the costs of the interventions implemented within the framework of the program or part of them must not have received support from another Fund or financial instrument or from another European or national program, e.g. from actions to replace heating systems with natural gas systems, “Recycle – Change Device” program, etc. In the event that double funding of an intervention is found, the specific expenditure is deemed ineligible.
How are applications submitted?
Funding applications are submitted online only. When submitting the application, it is not necessary to present a physical folder with supporting documents. The necessary supporting documents are attached by the candidate electronically.
For the submission and monitoring of the project, the interested party must use a Technical Consultant, a natural person, provided that he is an engineer, registered in the Register of Members or in the Book of Technical Names of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), whose cost is covered directly from the program.
Those who have submitted to a previous program for the energy upgrade of their residence do not have the right to apply.
How will applications be evaluated?
The evaluation of the applications is based, among other things, on the energy upgrade to be achieved and on the income declared by the beneficiaries. That is, after the submission, the score of each applicant is announced and after the ranking tables are issued and finalized, the table of applications is drawn up, based on the data available resources of the program per prefecture.