Image

Inclusion of social criteria in incentive programmes for energy improvement in housing.
Published on 11 August 2021

Spain
Andalucía
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Following the increase in the number of people living in energy poverty, the incentive programmes reflect the need to consider social criteria alongside the technical criteria to determine the percentage of incentive granted. Therefore, an additional (extra) percentage is added to the basic percentage based on compliance with the social criteria established in the regulations.
Between 2017 and 2020, the "Sustainable Construction" incentive programme, aimed at energy improvements in housing, contemplated an additional incentive percentage of 10-55% over the base incentive percentage for beneficiaries that were social housing owned by a public business agency of the Andalusian Regional Government or a local entity. In this programme a maximum incentive rate of 80-85% could be reached with the limitation of a minimum investment of between 500 €/housing.
During 2021, the "PREE" incentive programme aimed at energy rehabilitation in existing buildings contemplates an additional incentive percentage of 10% over the base percentage for beneficiaries that are dwellings qualified under a public protection regime or located in Urban or Rural Regeneration and Renewal Areas, as well as for consumers who have been granted the social bonus. In this programme, a maximum incentive rate of 85% can be reached with the limitation of a minimum investment of €6,000/house for some actions.
Between 2017 and 2020, the "Sustainable Construction" incentive programme, aimed at energy improvements in housing, contemplated an additional incentive percentage of 10-55% over the base incentive percentage for beneficiaries that were social housing owned by a public business agency of the Andalusian Regional Government or a local entity. In this programme a maximum incentive rate of 80-85% could be reached with the limitation of a minimum investment of between 500 €/housing.
During 2021, the "PREE" incentive programme aimed at energy rehabilitation in existing buildings contemplates an additional incentive percentage of 10% over the base percentage for beneficiaries that are dwellings qualified under a public protection regime or located in Urban or Rural Regeneration and Renewal Areas, as well as for consumers who have been granted the social bonus. In this programme, a maximum incentive rate of 85% can be reached with the limitation of a minimum investment of €6,000/house for some actions.
Expert opinion
The good practice at hand shows that ERDF resources can be accessed and used in a forward-looking and helpful way by local and regional policymakers to help alleviate energy poverty, which is now exacerbated by the economic and social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, by increasing the amount of support that can be made publicly available to affected households. It also demonstrates that in light of the current crisis it is possible to revise and expand with success the scope of the social criteria that need to be used to determine the eligibility of households under ERDF-funded energy efficiency schemes. For these reasons it deserves to be considered for replication in other local and regional context. Further insight on measures to protect energy consumers and shield vulnerable groups from the impacts of the ongoing pandemic can be consulted on the website of the EU Energy Poverty Observatory (https://www.energypoverty.eu/).
Resources needed
- “Sustainable Construction” 2017-2020:
Funds of 182.8 million euros from the ERDF 2014-2020
- “PREE” 2021:
Funds of 49.3 million euros from the ERDF 2014-2020
Funds of 182.8 million euros from the ERDF 2014-2020
- “PREE” 2021:
Funds of 49.3 million euros from the ERDF 2014-2020
Evidence of success
- “Sustainable Construction” 2017-2020:
9.779 applications (projects), 15 with social criteria
- “PREE” 2021:
575 applications, 78 with social criteria
9.779 applications (projects), 15 with social criteria
- “PREE” 2021:
575 applications, 78 with social criteria
Potential for learning or transfer
The incorporation of social criteria in incentive programmes is transferable to any EU subsidy/incentive programme and is a way of leaving no one behind. Vulnerable groups need a bigger boost and the additional increase is a way to give that boost.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Diversification and Energy Saving Institute (IDAE) and the Andalusian Energy Agency (AEA)

Spain
Comunidad de Madrid
Contact

Project Manager