Renewable Energy for Heating and Cooling and Small Interventions Increasing Energy Efficiency Support Scheme – Inter-ministerial Decree 16 February 2016. Amendment to the Conto Termico.

Conto Termico 2.0, in force since May 31st 2016, strengthens and simplifies the support mechanism "Conto Termico" already introduced by the MD December 28th 2012, which encourages measures to increase energy efficiency and the production of thermal energy from RE.

The total annual budget is up to 900 million euro of which 200 for public administrations projects and 700 million euro for the private initiatives.  Once this cap will be reached, program will be closed for new applications. If not reached, cap will be modified after 2 years since entering of the scheme into force. The mechanism responsible for the management and disbursement of incentives is GSE.

As the "old version" also the Conto Termico 2.0 provides financial incentives on the capital costs of the initiatives that are paid on yearly basis for a variable period of 2 to 5 years depending on type of improvement implemented, technology applied and its size.

 

Two categories of projects are eligible to benefit from the scheme:

 

A) energy efficiency improvements in an existing buildings and

B) small-scale projects concerning systems (<2000kW) producing thermal energy from renewable and high-efficiency system.

Technologies eligible:

A.1) isolations of opaque surfaces, replacement of transparent closures, installation of system shielding and shading and replacement of generators with appliances condensation;

B.1) heat pumps, biomass boilers, heaters and fireplaces, solar thermal systems, including those based on the solar cooling technology.

Public administration entities are eligible to benefit from incentives for both types of projects. Conto Termico is open to private entities only for small-scale projects concerning systems to produce thermal energy from renewables and high-efficiency systems (2nd category).

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