Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Industry (Grant) – Support for Energy- and Resource-Related Optimization of Equipment and Processes (Module 4 – Basic Funding)
Funding of investments to optimize the energy and resource requirements of production facilities in SMEs. Grant of 10% (medium-sized enterprises) or 15% (small enterprises) of the investment costs. Applications possible until 31.12.2028.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of investments in facilities that reduce the energy and resource demand of existing less efficient plants by at least 15%. The goal is to increase the energy and resource efficiency of industrial and commercial processes.
Eligible expenses
- Investment costs for replacement systems
- Ancillary costs (planning, installation) up to 30% of system costs
- Costs for proof of final energy savings
Non-eligible expenses
- Operating costs
- Company's own contributions
- Structural measures on the building
- Raw materials and operating supplies
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Company headquarters and branch in Germany
- SME status (definition EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC)
- Investment volume ≥ €10,000
- Replacement of an existing inefficient existing plant
Documents required for application
- Offer for the new equipment to be exchanged
- Proof of existing equipment (photo, verification document)
- Confirmation of final energy savings by energy efficiency experts
- Specialist contractor declaration
Evaluation criteria
- Amount of final energy savings
- Degree of innovation of the technology
- Economic efficiency (payback period)
Description
The "Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Economy – Module 4 Basic Funding" supports small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide in investments to optimize the energy and resource requirements of their production facilities. Only replacement investments are funded, where existing less efficient existing equipment in defined technology categories (e.g., electrically powered industrial trucks, injection molding machines, laser cutters, or thermal insulation films for biogas plants) are replaced by new, more energy-efficient devices. The annual final energy demand must be reduced by at least 15%. Small enterprises receive a 15% grant, medium-sized enterprises 10% of the investment costs; ancillary costs for planning and installation can be considered up to 30% of the equipment costs. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2028, and the project duration is 36 months.
Eligible are companies with headquarters or branches in Germany, SME status according to the EU definition, and an investment volume starting from €10,000. A prerequisite is the professional replacement of an existing system that has been in use for at least five years. The application must include proof by energy efficiency experts confirming the final energy savings. In addition to the offer for the new system and photos of the existing system, technical contractor declarations must be attached. Final verification and payment occur after proof of implementation and actual savings. Combining this funding with other public subsidies is excluded.
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