Energy Saving Certificates (CAES): An Opportunity for Companies and Individuals

Energy Saving Certificates: CAEs

Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs) are a financial instrument that certifies the final energy savings obtained after the implementation of energy efficiency measures. Each EEC represents one kilowatt hour (kWh) saved and can be traded on the EEC market.

How do CAEs work?

Companies or individuals implement energy efficiency measures in their facilities, such as the replacement of luminaires with LEDs, the installation of thermal insulation systems or the renewal of equipment for more efficient models.

An independent verifier audits the implemented measures and calculates the energy savings achieved, issuing the corresponding CAEs.

EWCs can be sold on the market to other companies or entities obliged to meet energy saving targets.

What are the benefits of CAEs?

The CAEs allow companies and individuals to reduce their energy bills, which translates into significant financial savings.

The implementation of energy efficiency measures and the achievement of EPCs contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and the fight against climate change.

Companies that commit to energy efficiency and obtain CAEs can improve their corporate image and their competitiveness in the market.

Who can obtain CAEs?

Any company or individual that implements energy efficiency measures and complies with the requirements established in the current regulations can obtain CAEs.

Si te ha interesado este artículo no dudes en leer:

How to Achieve “Carbon Neutral” Status for a Business

How can I obtain CAEs?

In order to obtain CAEs, the following issues should be taken into account:

1. Identify energy efficiency measures:

To this end, it is necessary to:

• Conduct an energy survey of the facilities to identify the areas of highest energy consumption and opportunities for savings (energy authoring).
• Evaluate technically feasible energy efficiency measures, considering factors such as investment cost, payback time and energy saving potential (technical analysis).
• Select energy efficiency measures that offer the greatest savings potential and are economically viable.

2. Implement energy efficiency measures:

In order to implement energy efficiency measures, detailed technical projects have to be developed for each selected measure, qualified companies have to be contracted to carry out the corresponding installation works and energy performance monitoring has to be carried out to ensure that the savings targets are met.

3. Verify energy savings:

To verify the energy savings, an independent verifier accredited by the Spanish National Accreditation Body (ENAC) must be contracted. This independent verifier will audit the energy efficiency measures implemented to verify the energy savings achieved and issue the CAEs corresponding to the verified energy savings.

4. Commercialise CAEs:

In order to be able to commercialise the CAEs, they must be registered in the CAE System managed by the IDAE.

The IDAE is the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía), a Spanish public body attached to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Secretary of State for Energy.

Among its main functions are to (i) promote energy efficiency in all economic sectors, through the implementation of saving measures and the development of new technologies, (ii) promote the use of renewable energies as an alternative to fossil energies, contributing to the fight against climate change, advise public administrations, companies and individuals on energy efficiency and renewable energies, (iii) manage grants and subsidies for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the development of renewable energy projects, and (iv) inform and raise awareness of the need for energy efficiency and renewable energies, (iii) to manage grants and subsidies for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the development of renewable energy projects and to inform and (iv) to raise public awareness of the importance of energy saving and the use of renewable energies.

Once the CAEs are registered, potential buyers should be sought, such as companies or entities obliged to meet energy savings targets, and the CAEs should be negotiated and sold at an appropriate market price.

Additional recommendations:

• It is important to have the advice of a professional CAE specialist from the start of the process to ensure compliance with current regulations and maximise energy savings.
• There are various grants and subsidies available for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and obtaining CAEs.
• Obtaining CAEs can be a complex process, so it is advisable to have the support of qualified professionals to ensure the success of the project.

Contact with us

If you are interested in obtaining more information about Energy Saving Certificates or need specialised legal advice, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be pleased to help you.

If you liked this article, you may also find it interesting to read the following one:

Addressing Scope 3 Emissions: A Practical Guide