What chances do entrepreneurs have to avoid doubling electricity costs from July 1? Funds over 300 million euros for green energy

From July 1, more and more small companies in Romania risks paying almost double electricity invoices. The state promises support through non-reimbursable funds of up to 90%, but in practice, exactly SMEs risk not qualifying. Problems are related to bureaucracy, lack of infrastructure and restrictive eligibility. Experts warn that every month of delay means direct losses.

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Entrepreneurs have over 300 million euros this summer, with 90% non -reimbursable funding, through the “Fund for Modernization” program, intended for investments in energy production from renewable sources for their own consumption.

Through the key program 1: renewable energy sources and energy storage: “Supporting investments in new capacities for the production of electricity produced from renewable sources for self -consumption”factories, but also ballasts or other types of activities that have invoices of at least 8-10,000 euros in energy and which have a land with an area of ​​at least 4,000 square meters can install between 300-400 kW green energy from solar sources and can access up to 450 euros/kW, the total allocation on this program being 310 million euros.

Who can apply and under what conditions

“We recommend to all entrepreneurs and decision makers in companies whose energy cost could double from July 1 to take into account this investment opportunity and start preparing projects, in a marked period of uncertainties and in which the costs could explode. To submit the project successfully, companies need a feasibility study, prepared according to GD 907/2016 or an audit, if there were no invoices on the respective location or the recent consumer has been modified.”, States Roxana Mircea, Managing Partner Rei Group.

The call call is already open and the session will end on August 22, according to the announcement from the Ministry of Energy. At the same time, the eligible applicants on this program are the economic operators (start-up, micro-enterprises, small, medium-sized enterprises), as well as the autonomous regions.

It should be noted that the companies that are restored in industrial parks are not eligible or which do not receive the invoices on behalf of the company, those that carry out their activity in the fishing and aquaculture sector, respectively activities specific to the CAEN code 03. Neither the companies that have loans and have mortgages in the amount on the land or the building that will not be able to install.

“The costs to submit are of maximum 3 – 5,000 euros, depending on the complexity of the project, and their evaluation duration could vary between 6-12 months. An important element is that companies can carry out investment procedures and even start the investment, but they will not be able to produce energy until they sign the contract with the Ministry of Energy“Adds Roxana Mircea.

The non -eligible sectors include: CAEN 01 code (agriculture, hunting and attached services, CAEN 10 (food industry) and CAEN 11 (drinking) code.

The total budget of the appeal exceeds 310 million euros and is divided as follows: about 151 million euros for solar power plants, almost 118 million euros for solar capacities over 5 MW, 25 million for hydro and 16.7 million for wind. Also, the maximum value that can be granted to the enterprise is 20 million euros, in the form of reimbursement of eligible expenses.

Solar panels become a “urgent economic necessity”

“After liberalizing the energy market and announcements regarding the tariff changes from July 1, more and more companies contact us for fast technical assessments, simulations on the construction of photovoltaic power stations and cost/benefit estimates. Many entrepreneurs begin to see the investment in solar panels as a urgent economic necessity, especially in industries with high and constant energy consumption: production, processing, storage, logistics. We recommend to all entrepreneurs to analyze the opportunity to become prosumators and to consider the support of the specialists for evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of such a project. Financing sources exist, may not be very simple and flexible, but the maturity of the market has increased and due to them,“Ana Nedea, Simtel sales director, declares for Adevărul, for Adevărul.

Criteria built for big companies, to the detriment of the little ones

Although the financing programs are generous, and the state promises support of up to 90% for investments in solar panels, the reality in the field is far from the enthusiasm in the communications. Many companies face administrative and technical obstacles that, in practice, exclude them from the beginning from the race for green energy.

Andrei Ivan, an expert in renewable energy solutions and the reduction of the carbon fingerprint for SMEs, punctually explains why accessing non-reimbursable funds remains, for many, an awesome process: “In practice, the biggest difficulties come from administrative and technical details: many companies do not have the roof of the building separately, they need their own large contribution, the need to be owned by the hall/land, without having other tasks, cannot demonstrate a constant consumption that justifies the investment or do not have the necessary liquidity for co -financing, even if the support reaches up to 90%. Also, the companies in seasonal or fluctuating industries are disadvantaged, because the system involves a high, relatively constant self -consumption”.

From a technical point of view, he adds, the most common challenges are related to the limited connection to the Network for Greenfield projects, the limited bearing capacity of some roofs (what weight can be accommodated with the photovoltaic systems, for example) and the fire resistance class, considering the revision of the regulations regarding the fire safety – 1/20. more demanding requirements in terms of fire safety.

“Respecting new requirements not only reduces operational risks but increases the value and safety of long -term buildings, but is perceived as a potential barrier to those interested“Adds Andrei Ivan.

The criteria seem thought out for medium and large companies, with clear administrative structures and solid financial position, believes the specialist. “Small enterprises, which are most affected by increased energy prices, have difficulty satisfying the minimum eligibility conditions. Here would be a great help to rethink the support mechanisms, possibly through lines dedicated to SMEs with mixed or rented infrastructure,” he says.

What alternatives do unligible companies have

For companies that do not fit in the current financing programs, there are more and more alternative support models: fast, flexible and, above all, devoid of the bureaucracy typical of non -reimbursable funds. These, according to Andrei Ivan, include the leasing of equipment, which allows the purchase without advance or with a low advance, the staggered payment schemes offered directly by the suppliers or through partnerships with financial institutions, but also the PPA (Power Pirchase Agreement) contracts, in which a third party invests in the photovoltaic system, and only the consumer company pays.

Therefore, for entrepreneurs who want to quickly reduce their dependence on energy price fluctuations, the expert recommends some essential steps: detailed consumption analysis, broken down on hourly intervals and categories of equipment; checking the eligibility through a specialized company; obtaining a complete technical-financial offer; And, where possible, the file is submitted as early as possible.

“Uneligible does not mean unprepared”

But even when a company discovers that it is not eligible for non -reimbursable funding, this apparent limitation can become an opportunity. “Public funds come in long terms, heavy procedures and implementation restrictions. Instead, a company that invests from its own sources, by leasing or PPA, can have the installed and functional system in a few weeks, immediately benefiting from reducing energy costs.”, Explains Andrei Ivan.

In the context of the increases announced from July 1, it draws this attention, every month of delay means direct losses. The investment becomes even more justified if we take into account the rapid depreciation, add storage batteries and preventive maintenance. In addition, companies that choose to act now will avoid the blockages that are foreshadowed on the market: the lack of equipment, delays in the opinions, overloading the installers. They can secure their energy at a fixed cost and increase their competitiveness in relation to customers.

“Therefore, non -eligible does not mean unprepared but can mean agile, adaptable and with Long -term vision ”, concludes Andrei Ivan.