The REPowerEU programme, run by the Ministry of European Investments and Projects (MIPE), provides vulnerable households in Romania with financial support for the rehabilitation of their homes and the installation of solar panels. The funding is provided through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with vouchers of up to €20,200 for housing rehabilitation and solar panels or €10,000 for the installation of solar panels and green energy storage batteries.
Extended deadlines
In order to facilitate access to this support for vulnerable households, the MIPE has extended the deadline for operators to submit applications to the OSS for Energy Efficiency Contact (GUEE) for vulnerable persons with whom they have concluded contracts until 3 March 2025.
Subsequently, the GUEE will complete the verification of the files by 31 March 2025, and economic operators will have until 3 April 2025 to submit their applications for funding on the PNRR platform.
Who can benefit from vouchers
The programme targets vulnerable people who own single-family homes. The vouchers can be used for home rehabilitation and the installation of solar panels to reduce energy costs. The documents required to obtain the vouchers include an identity card and documents relating to the ownership of the property (such as a land register extract).
Steps necessary to get support
Vulnerable households have to choose an economic operator approved by the MIPE, with whom to conclude a commercial contract. The operator will be responsible for preparing the documentation, submitting the file to the GUEE for verification and filling in the grant application form in the NRRP platform.
LIST OF VALIDATED ECONOMIC OPERATORS
The programme covers the costs of equipment and installation, so beneficiaries will not incur any additional costs. The main aim is to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. GUEE supports vulnerable people every step of the way.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ONE-STOP-SHOPS (GUEE) have been set up by law with effect from 1 March 2024.
LIST OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ONE-STOP-SHOPS
According to the Applicant’s Guide, the final beneficiary is “the single person / family who, for reasons of health, age, insufficient income or isolation from energy sources, requires social protection measures and additional services to ensure at least their minimum energy needs, who meets the conditions set out in Law no. 226 of 16 September 2021, on establishing social protection measures for vulnerable energy consumers, with subsequent amendments and additions, and who is on the list of vulnerable persons drawn up at the POAD level of the Ministry of European Investments and Projects.”
Under the RePowerEU component of the NRRP, two grant schemes in the form of vouchers have been approved: investment 4 (i4) for accelerating the use of renewable energy by households and investment 7 (i7) for improving household energy efficiency, with a single call for projects.
Three calls for projects are being prepared under i4:
PNRR/2024/2024/C16RePowerEU/I4/1.A targets the installation of new photovoltaic panel systems (with a net capacity of at least 3 kW) and the installation of electricity storage systems (with a usable electricity storage capacity of at least 5 kW). The call is dedicated only to vulnerable energy consumers (who do not own either of the two systems) and involves vouchers including for energy isolated households – without access to the electricity grid.
PNRR/2024/C16RePowerEU/I4/1.B
Phase I covers the installation of electricity storage systems with a usable electricity storage capacity of at least 5 kW for homeowners who already have a solar panel system with a net capacity of at least 3 kW.
PNRR/2024/C16RePowerEU/I4/2
Phase II covers the installation of new photovoltaic panel systems with a net capacity of at least 3 kW and stand-alone electricity storage systems with a usable electricity storage capacity of at least 5 kW for individuals (general population) who do not have either of the two systems. Two phases with separate submission periods and allocations were foreseen, open to all eligible applicants, subject to the maximum total eligible budget for each phase.
Under i7 for improving household energy efficiency, one call for projects is programmed for the renovation of residential buildings to improve energy efficiency and the installation of photovoltaic panel systems. The following activities are mandatory as a minimum:
A. thermal rehabilitation of building envelope elements by:
- external wall and facade insulation, including finishing works (e.g. decorative plastering)
- works to replace the existing external joinery with thermal insulating joinery, including windows and doors;
- thermal insulation of the roof/floor;
B. the installation of photovoltaic electricity generation systems, with a net capacity of at least 3kW, for own consumption, which are connected to the national grid;
C. Technical Expertise Report of the building;
D. Realisation of the Energy Audit Report;
E. Energy Performance Certificates (initial and final)
The proposed renovation measures and installation of a photovoltaic system are intended to ensure a reduction in annual primary energy consumption of at least 30% compared to the existing state before renovation.
The final beneficiary is a single person / family who, for reasons of health, age, insufficient income or isolation from energy sources, requires social protection measures and additional services to ensure at least their minimum energy needs, who meets the conditions set out in Law no. 226 of 16 September 2021, on establishing social protection measures for vulnerable energy consumers, with subsequent amendments and additions, and who is on the list of vulnerable persons drawn up at the level of the Operational Programme for the Assistance of Disadvantaged Persons (POAD) of the Ministry of European Investments and Projects.