In its new format, the Energy Saving at Home (EKO) programme was implemented for the first time in March 2018. A multitude of problems arose, and the engineers involved in submitting the applications were unable to properly carry out the work assigned to them. They were subjected to complaints and considered solely responsible for failing to secure their clients' participation in the programme. One of the reasons these problems occurred was the chronological priority criterion used to rank applications. The Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) had intervened[1] timely and authoritatively during the previous phase in 2018 regarding the issues created by the platform.
The Energy Saving programme was re-announced on the 15th of July 2019. The Ministry of Energy postponed its commencement for two months. It was assumed by all interested parties that the reason for the postponement stemmed from the Ministry of Environment and Energy's willingness to make significant changes to the Programme and avoid past mistakes. Very high expectations were created among the public, and a great number of people approached engineers to compile the necessary file for the application.
It was an unpleasant surprise for everyone when, on the 16th of September, with the launch of this phase, it was discovered that nothing had changed. Prior experience was not utilised. Funding was extremely low, inversely proportional to the demand. The criterion of chronological priority remained. The computing system exhibited malfunctions. No prior preparation of fellow engineers took place. The user manuals for the electronic platform for submitting applications were published a mere two days before the submission of applications.
In Western Macedonia, the available funds vanished in just over half an hour, and it was found that the registration of applications was not permitted following the exhaustion of available financial resources. Furthermore, there is no reserve list. Hundreds, if not thousands, of energy certificates have been issued, and application files have been compiled. As is apparent, a correct estimation of demand had not been made. The submitted files reserved larger amounts than what will ultimately be required for the implementation of the EKO II projects that successfully secured inclusion. There will also be beneficiaries who withdraw from the programme because they will be unable to secure a loan. All these resources should be reserved for applications that have not yet been completed but have been registered and are pending in the information system.
Moreover, during the programme's progression, a process of creating a reserve list based on a rational timetable would be helpful. With piecemeal updates, engineers cannot properly plan their work and find themselves under constant pressure and stress.
There was a promise that a new phase of the programme, with increased funding, would commence in the future. Hundreds, if not thousands, of energy certificates have been issued, and application files have been compiled. Given the impending establishment of the new KENAK, it would be unfair to force those who hold Energy Certificates to issue new ones for the next phase of the Energy Saving programme, resulting in an additional financial burden.
The Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) proposes that the information system accepts applications up to a specific date, as was the case in the spring of 2018. This is so that the hundreds of clients of technical offices do not feel they participated in a process they essentially began without even having the possibility of submission. The option to keep the system permanently open is an idea that must be examined. When a sufficient amount of capital is gathered, the funding for a multitude of applications could be approved.
The Region of Western Macedonia presents great needs for energy saving, owing to the climatic zone in which the entirety of Western Macedonia is situated – an issue that the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) has repeatedly highlighted. Western Macedonia is the only region in the country that remains entirely in the most adverse climatic zone while simultaneously having the longest winter period[2], and therefore the greatest need for programmes such as Energy Saving at Home.
We call upon the Region of Western Macedonia to increase the co-financed resources for EKO II, a position we had also articulated during the announcement of the programme in 2018[3], both from the PEP as well as from the EPAnEK, with the appropriate intervention at the central level.
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On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM)
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The President
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Dimitris Mavromatidis
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[1] Request for the cancellation of the application submission process for the "Energy Saving at Home II" Programme and its revision (2018)
[2] Positions of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section regarding the equalisation of the special consumption tax on heating oil with that of diesel fuel and the expected impacts on Western Macedonia (2011) & Formulation of proposals by the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) regarding the taxation of heating oil and its impacts on Western Macedonia (2014)