The cleanest energy is the energy that is not consumed. Energy efficiency is a fundamental pillar of the energy transition and is increasingly recognised in the economy as an object of financing, subsidies, tax incentives, and more. Related projects are planned, executed, and operated in the long term by Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Furthermore, the implementation of innovative models, such as the Energy Saving Certificates (CAE) system, opens new business opportunities and allows value to be generated from energy savings.
At SD Verdia we advise our clients on the definition and development of energy efficiency business models, providing legal certainty and added value.
Tell us about your case and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
We answer the most common questions about energy efficiency obligations and energy savings certificates (CAE).
Large companies are required to carry out an energy audit every four years under Royal Decree 56/2016, unless they have a certified energy management system. In addition, the national energy-savings obligation scheme imposes an annual savings obligation on certain parties (retailers and operators of energy products).
The CAE, regulated by Royal Decree 36/2023 of 24 January, is an electronic document that recognises a saving in final energy (one CAE equals 1 kWh saved). It allows obligated parties to evidence their savings as an alternative to the financial contribution to the National Energy Efficiency Fund (FNEE), and the certificates can be traded between obligated and delegated parties.
The framework is made up of Law 18/2014 (which created the National Energy Efficiency Fund), Royal Decree 56/2016 (energy audits and energy-service providers) and Royal Decree 36/2023 (energy savings certificates), together with EU energy-efficiency legislation (Directive (EU) 2023/1791) and the regulations on the energy performance of buildings.
Beyond compliance, energy efficiency reduces costs, improves competitiveness and opens up financing routes and ways to monetise savings through CAEs and energy-service company (ESCO) contracts. At SD Verdia we advise on meeting the obligations and on projects that combine efficiency with self-consumption and storage.
