Grant

Efficient and Rational Energy Use and Conversion in Industry and Commerce (REN Directive)

Grant for companies in Bremen to improve energy efficiency, use renewable energies, and develop operational energy concepts. Applications can be submitted continuously before the start of the project.

Consulting Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energies

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Bremen
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding rate: 30% - 50%
Project duration: 12 months

Funding objective

Support for investments and the development of operational energy concepts aimed at the efficient and rational use of energy, as well as the increased use of renewable energies in industry and commerce in the state of Bremen, with the goal of sustainably reducing primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Eligible expenses

  • Investment costs
  • Planning costs
  • Costs for operational energy concepts

Non-eligible expenses

  • Measures for which the applicant is legally obligated
  • Maintenance, renovation or capacity expansion
  • Investments without efficiency improvement of the same magnitude

Eligible to apply

  • Companies
  • Individuals

Funding requirements

  • Measure must be carried out in the state of Bremen
  • Application must be submitted in writing before the start of work
  • Energy concepts according to VDI 3922
  • Consulting independent of providers, manufacturers, and distributors
  • Purpose binding period of 10 years

Documents required for application

  1. Completed application forms
  2. Informal application with description of measures and technical details
  3. Information on energy consumption and savings potential
  4. Investment and operating cost statement
  5. Annual financial statement and financing plan
  6. Schedule
  7. Forms (declaration, minimum wage, if applicable SME status)

Evaluation criteria

  • CO₂ reduction potential
  • Economic efficiency of the measure
  • Contribution to the funding purpose beyond standard requirements

Description

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen supports companies and economic actors in investments aimed at increasing energy efficiency, the use of renewable energies, as well as the development of operational energy concepts. Up to 50% of eligible costs are funded, with the exact funding rate depending on the type and efficiency improvement of the measure. Eligible applicants include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economically related freelance professions, as well as financing, leasing, and service companies within the framework of contracting agreements. For building-related projects, owners, legally entitled parties, tenants, and leaseholders with the consent of the property owner are also eligible for funding. The maximum project duration is twelve months, and applications can be submitted continuously prior to the start of work.

A prerequisite for funding is the implementation of the project in the state of Bremen, an independent energy concept according to VDI 3922, and a formal application before project commencement. Eligible costs include not only investment costs but also planning costs and expenses for operational energy concepts. Mandatory measures, measures without an equivalent efficiency gain, or purely maintenance, renovation, and capacity expansion projects are not supported. The decision is based on the CO₂ reduction potential, economic viability, and the contribution to the climate protection goal beyond the standard. A ten-year commitment ensures the sustainable use of the funded installations. For the application, among other documents, completed forms, technical descriptions of measures, cost plans, and annual financial statements are required.

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