The platform for submitting applications for the new aid for energy efficiency in residential buildings, whose deadline started Wednesday, is not available and, according to an Environmental Fund manager, there is no expectation that it will start operating.
“The application submission platform is not available, it has not been available since 00:00 and there is no prediction that it will be operational,” replied an Environmental Fund operator contacted by Lusa via the telephone number on the ‘ site’ of the entity, after verifying that the platform was down and waiting 45 minutes for the call to be answered.
In a written response to Lusa, an official source from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action said that “high demand led to restrictions being resolved”.
“As the demand is huge, it could cause technical problems that we are trying to solve quickly,” added the ministry led by Duarte Cordeiro.
The new Housing + Sustainability Support Program 2023 (3C 2023) will receive a total allocation of €100 million, and this initial announcement will mobilize €30 million for applications due between today and October 31.
This aid finances 85% of, among other things, the replacement of windows, the installation of photovoltaic panels and natural insulation, and only permanent homes are eligible.
According to the announcement of the opening of the tender published on the website of the Environmental Fund, interventions to replace inefficient windows with efficient windows, with an energy class equivalent to A+, the installation or replacement of thermal insulation on roofs, walls or floors, heating and /or cooling systems and domestic hot water (DHW) using renewable energy, energy class A+ or higher, installation of photovoltaic systems and other equipment for the production of renewable energy for self-consumption with or without storage and also interventions aimed at water efficiency.
Each beneficiary is limited to a maximum total incentive of 7,500 euros, per single-family home or autonomous part, discounted by the amounts supported in the second phase of the previous Sustainable Buildings Support Programme.
In addition, applications for buildings outside the Lisbon and Porto districts will be subject to a 10% increase in the maximum incentive limit per type of intervention.
According to the notice of termination, if the amount supported by the beneficiary in this first reminder is equal to or greater than EUR 5,000, the candidate must present the energy certificate of the pledged property, before and after execution.
Source: DN
