Financing Energy Efficiency - Module 4

The first chapter introduces the partner regions in terms of EE financing with regards to the current situation, overview of policy documents/strategies, EE financing funding budgets and sources, planned EE activities, and more. The current situation is observed as EE services which are core activities which must be continuously provided to fulfill EE strategic objectives in the region and EE projects: short-term, self-contained activities that augment EE services, boost the energy efficiency by reducing the amount of energy required to provide services and products. 

The Transnational Energy Efficiency Financing Strategy is a review of the existing energy financing solutions and models that are or will be in the future the important enablers for EE and energy savings in public infrastructures. The strategy evaluates the potential of different financial models and give recommendations. This chapter takes into account key stakeholders, their needs and related investment barriers; existing funds and assistance in CE countries; existing models of financing and gives an overview about the basic principles to consider when creating an EE financing strategy. 

The aim of the transnational methodological framework is to help public authorities to deal with many different financing grants in the EE domain. The methodological framework builds upon the practical knowledge of public institutions and provides an overview of financing models used to finance EE upgrades in the public sector with the specific focus on: financial models to minimize the load on public budgets; recommendations for decision-makers on identifying and implementing a suitable financing model; risks and measures in case of financial investments.

Financing roadmaps (Energy efficiency financing roadmaps for public infrastructures in CE municipalities) are designed to offer giudance in order to achieve a desired goal regarding energy efficiency in public infrastructures in specific towns/municipalities in Italy, Autria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland and Croatia.

A collection of the best practice examples is made available from various Central European countries  introducing different kinds of financial investment return models through which market-enabling actions for large investments are highlighted and useful lessons can be learnt. These best practices are presented and analysed on attractive factsheets, which can be used for demonstration. There are 10 best practices available at the moment with more to come.

Last but not least a simple energy efficiency project calculator was created to give users a basic indicative idea of the profitability and advisability of  investments into an energy efficiency or RES projects. Terms and definition of basic financial indicators are included for the users convenience and involves a graphical illustration of cash flow and discounted cash flow.