UCI has become the first Spanish financial institution to receive the European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) programme for the development of its Residential Energy Rehabilitation (RER) project over the next three years.
Article continues below
RER is a one-stop-shop system for multi-apartment buildings providing technical assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia and Seville.
Thanks to ELENA, UCI´s RER project aims to rehabilitate 3,720 homes and mobilize €46.5 million in eligible investments.
ELENA is a joint initiative led by the European Investment Bank and the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme offering technical assistance for energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable urban transport projects.
The RER programme aims to refurbish at least 3,720 homes in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia and Seville, to reduce household energy consumption on average by 50%.
In addition, the RER project aims to mobilize investments of €46.5 million until 2024 for multi-apartment building energy efficiency improvements and the use of renewable energy sources in these buildings.
The energy efficiency projects will be selected based on the results of energy audits.
The expected energy efficiency projects include the modernization of existing residential buildings, including envelope insulation and improvements (walls, roofs, and floor), window replacements and glazing upgrades, heating, cooling and ventilation upgrades, interior lighting and installation of renewable energy solutions, such as photovoltaic panels.
In general terms, UCI´s experts estimate that the project will lead to energy savings of up to 8.1 GWh, which represents a reduction of 50%, of the initial consumption and to the reduction of up to 1,765 tons of CO2 per year.
In addition, this project will allow the creation of around 220 new jobs.
Thanks to this grant programme, the European Union will stimulate investments in energy efficiency, especially in buildings and in district heating networks, public lighting and clean urban transport. The ELENA Facility is managed by the EIB on behalf of the European Commission.
The 3 envelopes covered by ELENA (sustainable energy, sustainable residential and urban transport and mobility) can be chosen by both public and private entities to implement ambitious investment programmes not only at a local level but also at regional and national level. ■