Are you interested in subsidizing a project that will reduce your company's energy consumption? If so, read this article carefully. Most importantly, the green loan is actually a subsidy, not a classic loan. Read more about this financing option and take advantage of the green loan at your company.
This is a program under the FENG (European Funds for a Modern Economy), which aims to promote energy efficiency in businesses.
To put it another way, support is available to those companies that will significantly reduce energy consumption as part of an ongoing project.
Most importantly, in order to qualify for the subsidy, you must be able to substantiate a minimum 30% reduction in the company's energy consumption (or in a particular area within the company) relative to the original results (current consumption).
This is calculated within the framework of an energy efficiency audit (energy audit), which must be carried out before applying for an environmental bonus (subsidy), as its result is one of the necessary attachments.
The support is in the form of an environmental bonus - a subsidy constituting repayment of the capital part of the loan allocated by the beneficiary for the implementation of the investment.
The subsidy level ranges from 25% to 80%. It depends on the type of expense, the size of the company, and the location of the company and project.
Both sole proprietorships and small companies (SME sector including medium-sized enterprises, small mid-caps, mid-caps) can apply for funding.
The first step to obtaining a green loan is to analyze whether your company has a chance of obtaining this subsidy. Well Done Business performs such an audit free of charge, but you can also do it yourself by answering the question whether the measures you plan to implement (e.g., purchase of fixed assets, equipment) will save a minimum of 30% in energy consumption. Remember that this is a program specifically for energy efficiency in the broad sense, and not related to environmental protection in general.
After that, it is best to check creditworthiness with one of the banks indicated on the list of the Bank of National Economy. The list includes most of the major banks in Poland, including, among others: PKO Bank Polski, Alior Bank, mBank, Santander Bank Polska, BNP Paribas Bank Polska, but also, for example, the Cooperative Bank in Brodnica. This is important, because you need to conclude a conditional loan agreement or obtain a promise to grant a commercial loan. Such a document is an attachment to the application for an environmental bonus (application for obtaining an environmental loan). A positive credit check should be carried out before you start working on the application.
Then you should find a company that will complete the energy audit as well as, most importantly, a partner that will help you professionally draft the application. If you have not written a grant application yourself before, I advise against this option. The subsidy application is relatively complicated and it is better to put this task in the hands of experienced professionals. Thus, you will increase the chances of success.
After submitting the application (it usually takes about 3-5 weeks to develop it), you await the result. If you qualify for financing, you conclude a contract and implement the project according to the assumptions entered in the application, and the financing is transferred to you by a commercial bank (on the basis of a promise or a previously concluded loan agreement). Part of the loan (depending on the level of funding you receive) will be repaid by the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego with EU funds - this is the environmental bonus. Remember that you need to show your own contribution both in the bank and at the stage when you want to apply for a project grant. If you apply for a grant, it should be a cash contribution.
The terms and conditions of the commercial loan to which the promise relates are not important when evaluating an application for an environmental bonus. It does not matter whether the interest rate is fixed or variable, what the annual percentage rate of charge is, or the commission for granting financing.
The maximum value of eligible expenses is the equivalent of 50 million euros. No lower threshold has been set within which to apply for funding. The funds obtained should be used for environmental purposes, according to the list included in the application.
The financing obtained from the bank can be used for purposes:
Of course, all these costs (catalog of credited eligible costs) should be directly related to the overarching goal of achieving savings in energy consumption. This may involve changing the sources of energy used, the use of renewable energy sources (including oze installations), the use of other ecological equipment that improves energy efficiency, supporting solutions related to optimization of consumption or heat recovery. The installation of ecological equipment can be financed both in terms of the acquisition of fixed assets (purchase of equipment) and any necessary construction work. It is worthwhile to consult the assumed scope of costs with professionals in order to finally obtain support without formal obstacles.
In order to apply on time (in the current call for applications), you need to have time until August 17, 2023. However, importantly, the call may be completed earlier. This is highly likely in case of a large number of applications submitted. It may be that the call will be completed as early as July.
Therefore, taking into account the time required to complete the paperwork with the commercial bank, the time required to complete the energy efficiency audit and the time required to professionally draft the application, this gives a minimum of 30 days of work. Precisely for this reason, it is best to get down to action right away.
Yes, companies from all over Poland can apply for support. However, the level of funding varies, among other things, depending on where the project is implemented. The regional aid map (regional aid intensity map) is applicable. According to it, the greatest support can be counted on by micro and small companies from the area of Eastern Poland - the Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Podlaskie, Warmian-Masurian and Świętokrzyskie provinces.
You can get detailed information on the level of potential financing for your company by contacting us and describing your company and energy efficiency investment plans.
99% of our applications pass formal evaluation in grant programs. More than 50% of the submitted applications receive positive evaluation and qualification for funding. In 2023, it is 100% effective in both cases mentioned above. We do not accept projects that have no chance of receiving funding. We provide free verification on whether the project is suitable for the program.
We take a comprehensive approach to the topic of financing for companies. Even if an environmental loan is not the solution for you, it is worth talking about other possibilities. Grants, but also about private investors, business competitions or loans.
We always meet the agreed deadlines for implementation. When the situation requires it, we are in contact with the client also outside standard working hours.
We have one of the lower remuneration rates considering the market rates throughout the country. Our team includes specialists with experience working in the largest Polish and international consulting companies (departments responsible for obtaining financing).
We work on a hybrid model - base + success commission.
The first step is to contact and describe your plans. Then it is necessary to analyze whether the company has a chance for a grant (whether it meets the formal requirements). We help in this regard. After positive qualification, we sign a contract and start working on the application. In case of qualification for financing (positive decision) a financing agreement is concluded. We assist in the smooth execution and settlement of the project.
Q: Can the project only be for ozone installations?
A: No, but RES installation can be part of the project.
Q: Can the funds be used for thermal modernization?
A: Yes, provided that all other formal conditions of the program are met.
Q: Can the loan be used to finance other non-project related costs?
A: The loan should be directly related to green investments related to the project description in the application and to the completed energy efficiency audit (its recommendations).
