European Funds from Portugal 2020 will support energy efficiency in homes and help the Portuguese save money spent with energy. The first step of the Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficient Use of Resources (PO SEUR) is to allocate € 40 million of European funds in the new financial instrument for the rehabilitation and urban revitalization of Portugal 2020, called IFRRU 2020.

It is in the second half of 2016 that the IFRRU 2020 intends to be available through banks, credit lines for financing investments by owners on energy efficiency in private households, in addition to works of urban regeneration. The supports are designed to separate fractions holders, buildings or private, excluding social housing, including condominiums, in certain areas of the country.

Investments to support should increase the energy efficiency of housing and thus reduce the bill of the energy of the families that inhabit them, in the case of thermal insulation of walls, floors and roofs, installing efficient windows with double and thermal cutting glass, and other systems and equipment that generate savings, such as installing solar panels. The costs for production of electricity for own consumption from renewable energy sources will be financed up to 30% of the total eligible investment amount of the application.

To access the European funds, you need to present an energy audit that demonstrates the suitability of the investment and show the improvement of the energy performance certificate in at least two levels due to the current situation.

Source: Expresso