The main problems in the market have arisen due to the “plug” of subsidized energy efficiency programs. Due to the fact that the old Conservation programs have not yet been completed due to bureaucratic and other complexities, but new ones are being added, the market is now suffocating, and stakeholders are constantly looking for workshops to implement projects, as well as liquidity to cover own participation.

With very high financial stakes (at least three billion grants are available, bringing the total number of planned projects to at least twice as many), the challenge now is to find solutions and implement projects to achieve the main goal. energy savings and cost savings for households.

The traffic jam… has already created enough problems.

First, the country’s technical manpower is struggling to keep up with ever-increasing demand.

Secondly, the sharp increase in interest led to higher prices, especially in the service sector. The cost of installing a solar water heater or installing photovoltaic cells is constantly on the rise, since at the moment the advantage belongs to the installer, not the buyer.

Third, the ever-increasing amount of materials creates problems in project implementation, as intervention budgets were launched three years ago – even Save Autonomy 2020 remains largely “open” – and are otherwise shaped according to today’s data. .

Fourthly, those involved talk about significant delays in paying money to industry professionals, as a result of which, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, liquidity “suffocation” conditions are created, with an increase in the cost of money exacerbates the problem even more.

Seminars are expensive and in short supply, the price of materials rises and delays in payments to professionals.

The funding problem is already being felt, especially in the rooftop solar program. A specific program provides for the mandatory installation of a battery, which significantly increases investment costs. However, interested parties are invited by the professionals they come into contact with to carry out the project, pay the entire cost of several thousand euros, and then wait for the subsidy to be paid themselves.

The list of energy modernization projects that have already begun or will be implemented in the near future includes six positions:

1. Since the end of 2020, the Save – Autonomy program has been launched with a budget of about 850 million euros for the energy modernization of at least 40,000 properties. More than 2.5 years have passed since the competition was held (at that time there was a system of priorities for the time of submission of applications), but about 40% of applications are still under consideration. 19% of the stakeholders did not even complete the assignments, 3% refused for various reasons, and about 15% are waiting for the assessment to be completed before the money is paid. This expectation results in a “catch” of several tens of millions of euros, since without the completion of the assessment, money is not paid for the work already completed. A few days ago, the Ministry of the Environment gave a new delay until the end of June.

2. The Save 2021 program was extended in August 2022, bringing its total budget to €1.2 billion. According to the estimates of the competent authorities, a fifth of the program can be completed by September, but it seems that there are still unresolved issues at the administrative level, the main of which is the decision on the conditions for providing guarantees by the Greek State to people belonging to the category with the lowest income and who wish to cover the same participation with a loan.

3. “Renovation – Preservation” for young people has just started and has a budget of 300 million euros. The success of the program will be judged by whether the selected stakeholders can fund the same participation in the face of an ever-increasing number of materials. The accumulation of “Save” programs adds to the worry, as the less liquidity there is for professionals in the sector, the more difficult conditions become.

4. “I recycle, I change the water heater” is of great interest as the number of applications has already exceeded 200,000. The 100 million euro programs will not cover all applications, and the next government will decide whether to expand the budget. The final implementation will depend on how prices are formed in the market (and at the installation level), as well as how quickly the money from the vouchers is paid out to professionals in the sector. However, many professionals (especially small and medium ones) complain about delays in payments under the Change Device program, which had a similar philosophy.

5. In the recently launched Rooftop Photovoltaic program, applications are currently hovering just above the 5,000 mark. Most interested individuals – those with available space – are encouraged to pay the full cost with their own funds and then receive a subsidy. The amount of investment is not small, since even a small photovoltaic installation producing 5,000 kilowatt-hours per year can cost more than 13,000 euros including VAT. Mandatory installation of the battery significantly doubles the cost.

6. “Save 2023” will be launched from June with a budget of 300 million euros. It remains to be seen whether efforts to raise marginal prices for works will generate interest from property owners. However, subsidies remain significant. even reaching 75%.