The Veneto Regional Council, through Resolution No. 1418 of November 28, 2024, has approved the operational guidelines for the “Energy Efficiency for Enterprises” section of the Veneto Energy Fund, within the framework of the Regional Operational Program (ROP) Veneto ERDF 2021–2027, Priority 2, Specific Objective 2.1 – Action 2.1.2. The initiative aims to support energy efficiency improvements in enterprises operating in the Veneto region.
ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES
The following may benefit from the incentives provided by the Veneto Energy Fund:
- Enterprises with an operational headquarters in the Veneto region.
- Professionals and self-employed workers with a tax domicile in the Veneto region.
The incentives are available to enterprises operating in specific sectors identified by the following Ateco 2007 codes:
B (excluding 05, 06, 09.1), C (excluding 12.0, 19.1, 24.1), E, F, G, I, J, L, M (excluding 70.1, 70.22), N, P, Q, R, and S.
Beneficiaries must own or hold another real or personal right to use the operational site where the intervention will take place, with a remaining term of at least 10 years from the date of application submission.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND EXPENDITURES
The Veneto Energy Fund supports projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, both in production processes and company buildings. The primary focus is on the use of renewable energy for self-consumption and for generating the energy required by production processes, including the installation of appropriate systems.
Eligible interventions fall into the following categories:
1. Energy Efficiency in Production Processes
- Purchase and installation of machines and equipment that do not use fossil fuels, which reduce energy consumption (e.g., electric motors, furnaces, compressors, heat pumps).
- Purchase and installation of devices that improve energy efficiency, such as inverters and power factor correction systems.
- Replacement of traditional lighting with low-consumption LED systems, equipped with automatic control systems.
2. Energy Efficiency in Company Buildings
- Improvements to building energy performance, such as insulation, replacement of windows and doors, installation of ventilated walls, and sun protection systems.
- Modernization of heating and cooling systems, using heat generators not powered by fossil fuels.
3. Installation of Renewable Energy Systems for Self-Consumption
- Purchase and installation of renewable energy systems (e.g., photovoltaic, solar thermal) to generate the energy needed for business operations, including any storage systems.
4. Monitoring and Control Systems
- Purchase and installation of advanced monitoring and management systems for energy resources within the production process.
The minimum eligible investment is €100,000 (excluding VAT), and the maximum is €600,000 (excluding VAT).
Projects must begin only after the application has been submitted and must be carried out at sites located in the Veneto region.
Expenses related to buildings or structures are not eligible if the work is carried out without the prior consent of the property owner.
ENERGY OBJECTIVES
Each project must include a preliminary energy audit, prepared by a qualified technician, identifying energy inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. The audit must be based on energy consumption data from 2023.
Projects must align with the measures identified in the audit and aim to achieve at least a 30% reduction in primary energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions.
For building-related interventions, the objective must be a minimum 30% reduction in primary energy use or CO₂ emissions.
Renewable energy systems must not produce more energy than the estimated need identified in the energy audit, and storage systems must be capable of absorbing at least 75% of the energy produced.
AVAILABLE INCENTIVES
The incentives consist of two components:
- A non-repayable grant equal to 20% of the total eligible investment.
- A subsidized loan covering up to 100% of the investment, consisting of:
- A zero-interest share (50%), financed by the Fund.
- A private share, provided by a lender (bank or other entity), at a preferential rate not exceeding a predetermined threshold.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINES
Applications must be submitted through Veneto Innovazione, with the support of a lender (bank or credit guarantee consortium – Confidi) or through a business association.
Applications will be evaluated using a first-come, first-served approach.
