Energy efficiency financing

In the current context, with strong decarbonization objectives for the coming years, how best to finance energy efficiency work?

The need to implement an energy efficiency plan responds to a triple pressure: economic, ecological and regulatory. Faced with rising energy costs and obsolete equipment, many players are undertaking work to improve their energy performance.

Because such an overhaul represents a certain investment, our energy experts can help you optimize your energy efficiency plan. Their mastery of the various existing aid mechanisms means you’ll be sure to find advantageous financing solutions for your energy efficiency-related work.

Why do companies need to improve their energy efficiency?

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is the ratio between the energy used by a piece of equipment or a building to operate and the energy purchased. Improving a site’s energy efficiency means rationalizing energy expenditure by eliminating superfluous consumption:

Replacement of obsolete equipment,
Preventive maintenance,
Thermal renovation work.

This rebalancing of a building’s energy expenditure is not achieved at the expense of user comfort.

Energy efficiency: an advantage for manufacturers, businesses and the public sector

Investing in energy-efficient renovation work is eligible for a range of grants, and offers substantial advantages for those who undertake it. Optimizing energy efficiency means :

Reduce your energy bills, at a time when electricity and gas prices are particularly high,
Comply with new regulations,
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What financing mechanisms are available?

The Energy Savings Certificate scheme: a major pillar of the energy transition

Various mechanisms can help you finance your energy efficiency projects. The most important of these is the CEE scheme (Certificats d’Economies d’Energie), which is the government’s main instrument for promoting the energy transition. Created in 2005 following the adoption of the POPE law, the CEE scheme sets the guidelines for French energy policy.

Over the 4th period of the scheme (2018-2021), CEEs have financed some €3 billion in premiums, and alone account for 50% of the total amount paid out by public energy renovation incentive schemes.

Our support in setting up your CEE scheme

Preparing an application is a complex and time-consuming process. Cristal Decisions’ support covers the various phases involved in obtaining your CEE incentives: eligibility study, dossier preparation, submission and operational follow-up.

From the outset of your financing project, we help you to identify the actions that fall within the scope of the scheme. Our experts will also advise you on the performance criteria to be met, to ensure your eligibility, but also to maximize the amount of aid obtained,
As an independent firm, Cristal Decisions will consult various funding bodies to obtain the best possible price proposal for buying back your EWCs,
Our experts will take charge of putting together your entire financing package: gathering supporting documents, checking their conformity, contacting third parties, and so on. Thanks to their mastery of the system, they can ensure that your project is properly set up, in compliance with the required regulations and formalities,
Finally, our consultants will take care of submitting your funding application to the funding body, and following up your file until you receive your bonus.

Other energy grants available to you

In addition to CEE, a number of other mechanisms have been set up to promote the energy transition and reduce consumption:

The eco-energy loan, which helps companies with their investment projects to protect the environment and save energy,
National or regional calls for projects to bring energy efficiency and decarbonization projects to fruition,
Tax incentives for the energy transition, enabling companies to benefit from exceptional depreciation allowances for the acquisition of energy-saving materials and renewable energy production equipment,
Assistance from ADEME’s Fonds Chaleur (Heat Fund), a scheme to support the development of heat production facilities using renewable and recovered energy sources. The Fonds Chaleur provides funding for projects involving the recovery of waste heat, methanization, geothermal energy, biomass boilers and solar thermal energy.

These various sources of financing can be combined with CEE, subject to certain conditions.

Identify the best financing options for your project

Cristal Decisions works alongside you to identify the most suitable sources of financing for your project, and helps you optimize the amount of subsidies you receive.

Our consultants study your projects on a case-by-case basis, to determine the financial package best suited to the type of work being carried out, and help you optimize the subsidies to which you are entitled. Thanks to our expertise in the various schemes, we can guarantee you optimum financing, by guiding you towards the best solution for your project, according to current regulations and opportunities.
Our experts offer you long-term support, from project identification through to obtaining all eligible funding.

Our contact: Cédric Jourdain, Head of Energy Efficiency Financing expertise

With a degree in energy engineering, Cédric has 10 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, first in engineering, then in commissioning tests for HVAC installations. He also dealt with energy efficiency issues during his work-study training.

The assignments and topics he dealt with helped him develop agility, rigor and organizational skills. The energy efficiency/decarbonation financing market still has a bright future ahead of it, as France must continue to accelerate its energy transition to meet Europe’s 2030 ambitions.

Cédric joined the Cristal Decisions teams in January 2022 as a senior consultant. With the support of his team, Cédric’s work involves monitoring regulations, liaising with financing partners and supporting beneficiaries from the upstream phase of projects right through to obtaining financing.

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