Greek Tourism Businesses Eligible for Energy-saving Upgrades

The EU energy consumption scale launched in 2010 and updated in 2021.

The Greek government is allocating 100 million euros to tourism enterprises which want to invest in energy-saving upgrades, the environment ministry announced this week.

The guidelines to the new “Exoikonomo – Epicheiro” (Save – Do Business) plan available here to October 27, foresee 100 million euros in funding to be allocated to very small, small and medium-sized (SME) businesses active in tourism as part of a set of measures taken by the Greek government to minimize the impact of soaring energy costs on the sector.

Projects ranging from 50,000 euros to 500,000 euros at tourism enterprises with up to 100 beds are eligible for funding under the scheme.

The “Exoikonomo – Epicheiro” plan will also channel an additional 100 million euros into upgrades for SMEs active in services and trade.

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas.

Projects approved will have to focus on energy upgrades through the installation of new equipment, thermal insulation and renewable energy systems and meet the minimum energy-environmental goal which includes reducing CO2 emissions by at least 35 percent, primary energy savings of at least 35 percent, and energy category upgrades.

According to the environment ministry, assessment of the submitted investment plans will be based on criteria set out in the published guidelines.

“We are launching another very important energy upgrade program, this time for Greek companies. Under the scheme, very small, small and medium-sized Greek enterprises, which make up a very large part of the Greek economy, will have the chance – with a series of interventions – to improve their energy efficiency, resulting in a corresponding reduction in energy costs,” said Environment Minister Kostas Skrekas.

The “Exoikonomo – Epicheiro” plan is funded through EU recovery and resilience funds (RRF).