Spain Promotes Energy Efficiency in Industry with the Energy Savings Certification System (CAE)
Spain has implemented the Energy Savings Certification System (CAE) to promote energy efficiency in the industry, aligning with European decarbonization goals. Since its launch in January 2023, it has made significant progress, certifying a total of 1,600 GWh in 2024, generating over 200 million euros in revenue for companies that have implemented energy-saving measures.
Various stakeholders are involved in the system, including obligated entities (energy companies), delegated entities, savings owners, and verifiers. Additionally, specialized consulting firms like Artica+i offer strategic advice and document management to facilitate the obtaining and commercialization of CAEs, optimizing the profitability of investments in energy efficiency.
The Spanish industrial sector has a new ally to reduce operating costs and move toward sustainability: the Energy Savings Certification System (CAE). This mechanism establishes measures to encourage energy efficiency in businesses, aligning with the European decarbonization objectives set in Directive 2012/27/EU.
Since the implementation of the CAE system in January 2023, significant progress has been recorded in its application during 2024. According to data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), a total of 1,600 GWh were converted into CAEs in 2024, obtained through energy-saving measures implemented across industrial, business, and residential sectors.
Based on a conservative average price of saved kWh, it is estimated that the system has generated over 200 million euros in revenue for the savings-generating companies. In other words, the balance is very positive: companies from all sectors have been able to see that it is possible to implement energy efficiency measures, recover part or even all of the investment made, and also make money by converting the energy savings into CAEs.
A New Ally for Spanish Industry
The Spanish industrial sector has a new ally to reduce operational costs and move towards sustainability: the Energy Savings Certification System (CAE). This mechanism establishes measures to promote energy efficiency in companies, aligning with the European decarbonization objectives set by Directive 2012/27/EU.
Since the implementation of the CAE System in January 2023, significant progress has been made in its application during 2024. According to data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), a total of 1,600 GWh were converted into CAE in 2024, obtained through energy-saving measures implemented in industrial, business, and residential sectors.
Based on a conservative average price per kWh saved, the system has generated over €200 million in revenue for energy-saving companies. In other words, the balance is highly positive: companies across all sectors have been able to implement energy efficiency measures, recover part or even all of their investment, and even generate profit by converting energy savings into CAEs.
A Key Tool for the Food Industry
The CAE system allows companies to certify the actions taken to reduce their energy consumption. Measures such as process optimization, replacement of obsolete equipment, or the integration of renewable technologies result in Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs). These verifiable documents certify the kilowatt-hours saved and can be used to comply with legal energy-saving obligations or even be traded in secondary markets, opening new economic opportunities for companies.
This means that, on the one hand, it enables consumer companies and individuals to generate revenue that partially offsets their energy efficiency investments. On the other hand, it allows electricity and petroleum product suppliers (Obligated Entities) to contribute to the National Energy Efficiency Fund at a more competitive cost.
The food industry, one of the most energy-intensive sectors, has a unique opportunity to benefit from these measures—not only by complying with regulations but also by improving competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.
Ultimately, the Energy Savings Certification System is set to become an essential pillar in the transformation of the industry, including the food sector, aligning with the European Union’s climate and economic objectives. Companies that adopt these measures will not only comply with regulations but will also gain competitiveness and resilience in an increasingly sustainability-focused business environment.
Key Stakeholders in the System
- Obligated Entities: These are energy companies (gas and electricity suppliers and wholesale operators of petroleum products and LPG) required to achieve a specific amount of energy savings per year. These companies can fulfill their obligation by either contributing to the National Energy Efficiency Fund (managed by IDAE, which allocates these funds to energy efficiency projects) or by settling CAEs (generated internally or acquired on the market).
- Delegated Entities: Companies that assist obligated entities in obtaining CAEs by committing to settle a specific amount of CAEs on their behalf each year. Currently, 46 Delegated Entities accredited by MITECO operate in the market.
- Savings Owner: Initially, this is the individual or company that has invested in an energy efficiency measure that generates savings convertible into CAE. The ownership of the savings can be transferred to a third party in exchange for compensation.
- End User: The individual or entity benefiting from the energy efficiency action, usually the original savings owner.
- Energy Savings Verifier: An entity accredited by ENAC that verifies that the action has been carried out, ensures the documentation is correct, and confirms the declared energy savings.
- Regional Administrator: Reviews CAE issuance requests for actions carried out in their autonomous community and proposes their registration in the National CAE Registry to the National Coordinator. Acts as a validating authority within the system.
- National Coordinator: Accredits delegated entities, registers CAEs in the National Registry, oversees CAE settlements, develops regulatory frameworks, and reviews applications for actions exceeding the jurisdiction of a single autonomous community. Acts as the system’s supervisory and regulatory authority.
Additionally, intermediaries such as verifiers, inspectors, brokers, manufacturers, installation companies, or engineering firms (like ours) may support the other stakeholders.
How Can We Help You Maximize Your Energy Efficiency Actions?
At artica+i, we offer high-level technical consulting services in the field of Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), providing comprehensive analysis and strategic planning to obtain them. Our approach ensures a precise evaluation of investment feasibility, identifying standard or unique actions and delivering a detailed estimate of the projected energy savings.
As industrial financing experts, we also provide specialized advice on securing public funding to finance CAE-compatible investments, optimizing the profitability of our clients’ energy efficiency projects.
As a driving force behind the CAE System, and with the extensive experience of our professional team, we offer advisory services in:
- Supporting the sale of achieved energy savings throughout the entire process, connecting clients with Obligated Entities to help them monetize their investment in energy efficiency.
- Document management and coordination with ENAC-accredited entities: We facilitate the entire verification process for energy savings, centralizing interactions with ENAC-accredited organizations such as OCA Instituto de Certificación, European Quality Assurance Spain (EQA), AENOR Confía, LGAI Technological Center, Bureau Veritas Iberia, and SGS Tecnos. These entities are authorized to issue the necessary verifications within the Energy Savings Certification System (CAE).
