Projects eligible for aid and maximum amount of aid
Energy aid priorities for 2024
General
The budget for 2024 has reserved EUR 14.1 million in national energy aid. Of the budget authority available, at least EUR 10 million will be allocated to investments promoting energy saving and energy efficiency.
Aid will only be granted for investment projects of up to EUR 5 million.
In the consideration of aid, priority will be given to investment projects that promote new technology and its commercialisation and the balancing capacity of the electricity system.
New technology refers to new types of commercial solutions that have not been extensively tested in Finland. Typically, this is the first or among the first demonstration plants of its kind. The adoption of new technology entails extra costs or risks compared to a corresponding project implemented using conventional technology.
Energy aid applications submitted in 2023 still pending are subject to the 2024 guidelines.
Investments in energy savings and energy efficiency in 2024
For studies the maximum aid intensity is:
- 50% of energy audits in the municipal sector and in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in connection with energy efficiency agreements
- 40% of other energy audits, analyses and studies
For investment projects the maximum aid intensity is:
- 20% for companies and organisations that have signed an energy efficiency agreement
- 25% when an energy service company (ESCO) is used in the above
- 15% for companies and organisations that have not signed an energy efficiency agreement but use an ESCO
Investments in energy efficiency related to buildings and their conventional building services engineering are not eligible for aid.
Aid may also be granted to companies and municipalities that have not signed an energy efficiency agreement if the project involves new technology.
Augmented aid may be granted on a case-by-case basis to projects involving new technology. The need for and level of augmented aid will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For large companies, the maximum aid level is 30% for new technology projects as well.
Within investments in energy efficiency, heat pumps with a capacity exceeding 1 MW may only be subsidised in the case of a new technology project or a project connected to a low temperature heating network. In the case where surplus heat is used as an energy source for a heat pump, heat pumps with a capacity of no more than 5 MW can receive aid in conventional technology projects. In terms of new technology, heat pump projects exceeding the capacity of 5 MW are also eligible for aid.
When an ESCO is used, the minimum requirements are guaranteed energy savings of at least 50% and verified savings of at least 80% of the total savings in euros during the reference period.
Aid is not granted to flue gas scrubbers or related heat recovery investments if they concern companies participating emission trading system or heating plants where heat output exceeds 10 MW.
Lighting projects involving conventional and established technology are not eligible for aid. Aid is not granted to doors or lids of refrigeration cabinets or devices or similar solutions.
Investments in renewable energy in 2024
In renewable energy projects, only new technology is eligible for aid.
In renewable energy projects the aid level is typically maximum 30 % based on case-by-case assessment.
In renewable energy projects, fuel filling stations are not eligible for aid.
Investments related to refining, liquefying, transporting, distributing, or using biogas will only be eligible for aid if accompanied by an investment in new reactor capacity. Investments in expanding existing biogas plants are only eligible for aid if the digester gas and biogas production capacity increases. In biogas projects, the applicant must submit a plan for further processing and use of digestate.
In biofuel projects, aid may only be granted for plant projects that do not use saw timber or pulpwood suitable for processing as raw material.
More information: pekka.gronlund(at)gov.fi