Energy Saving Certificates (CAE) have become an essential instrument in the Spanish strategy to promote energy efficiency and offset investments in energy-saving projects. This system, relatively new in Spain, allows companies, individuals, and governments to obtain an economic return for reducing their energy consumption, turning the savings into a type of asset that can be marketed. This not only encourages the adoption of more efficient technologies, but also incentivizes innovation and economic sustainability in various sectors.
In the last months, The CAE has attracted the attention of both public administration and private companiesNumerous conferences and events have brought together experts and executives from leading companies to showcase the advantages of this system and analyze its operation, current challenges, and the future of this promising market. The opportunities offered by CAEs range from the partial recovery of investments in efficiency to the generation of direct income through the sale of certified savings.
The operation of CAEs: how they are generated and who they benefit
A CAE is an official document that certifies a reduction in energy consumption. in a facility after making an efficiency improvement, such as renewing insulation, upgrading lighting systems, or incorporating innovative technologies into industrial processes. The equivalence is simple: each CAE represents a saving of 1 kWh of final energy and, once verified, can be sold on the regulated market. The system is managed in Spain by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, in collaboration with regional entities and sectoral actors.
When accessing the CAE, any natural or legal person can participate: homeowners, neighborhood communities, companies of all sizes and sectors, and even public administrationsAfter executing the efficient action, an Authorized Manager must be appointed to oversee the process, from technical evaluation to verification and sale of the savings. Thus, The developer receives financial compensation proportional to the energy saved, which helps to reduce the payback period of the investment made.
In many cases, the remuneration obtained by the CAE ranges between 10% and 30% of the cost of the improvement, depending on the type of project, the amount of energy saved, and current market conditions. Furthermore, CAEs promote transparency and traceability by requiring external verification of the savings achieved and recording the entire process.
Institutional involvement, innovation, and technological solutions in the CAE market
Administrations such as the Xunta de Galicia or city councils such as Lleida have organized information sessions and round tables to promote the CAE system and facilitate its application in the productive sector. Experts have highlighted the role of CAEs in encouraging investments in efficient technologies, reducing costs for consumers and accelerate decarbonization, in addition to consolidating the position of regional companies in the field of sustainability.
Cases like Galicia illustrate the tangible impact: in 2024, The Galician CAE market recorded savings of 325 GWh, which represents 3,7% of the community's electricity consumption, generating savings of approximately €50 million on the bill and approximately €43 million in direct income for companies.
La digitalization is also transforming the CAE market. Platforms such as types of energy labeling They allow for comprehensive and automated management of energy efficiency projects, from the identification and calculation of savings to the verification and marketing of certificates. This approach facilitates the integration of all actors in the system (owners, obligated subjects, intermediaries, installers, aggregators, financial institutions), even enabling the grouping of small actions to add up to significant volumes of energy savings.
The role of CAEs in industry, construction and mobility
In industry and construction, the CAE are promoting reforms and improvements.Companies such as Circutor have organized workshops to discuss technical solutions that allow savings to be measured and validated, as well as the challenges of data traceability and the need for appropriate equipment. The system, although implemented since 2023, still faces challenges such as lack of awareness in certain sectors or the difficulty of quantifying certain specific actions. However, the pace of adoption is increasing, and the shared best practices demonstrate the system's potential.
Electric mobility and transportation are also benefiting from CAEs. Car brands, dealerships and fleet companies can monetize energy savings This is due to the replacement of combustion vehicles with electric ones or the implementation of telematics systems to optimize fuel consumption. Thanks to agreements with large groups and the creation of digital platforms for the sector, users can receive immediate bonuses, in addition to other aid available for the purchase of electric vehicles. Furthermore, technological tools allow companies to certify and optimize the performance of their vehicles in real time, generating additional income for each kilometer traveled efficiently.
Case studies, experiences, and future prospects of the CAE system
During conferences and events throughout Spain, representatives of administrations, energy service companies, installers and manufacturers have shared real experiences of implementing the CAE systemExamples were presented in housing, industry, transport fleets, and public administration, highlighting the economic benefits and the creation of synergies between stakeholders, technicians, and citizens.
CAEs also foster a culture of efficiency, improve sector transparency, and facilitate the achievement of environmental and competitiveness objectives at the local and national levels. The creation of new professional profiles and collaboration between entities are energizing the market, with tools that enable traceability and the grouping of projects to maximize the impact of energy savings at all levels.
The evolution of the Spanish CAE market demonstrates that the system is consolidating as a flexible and effective tool for boosting efficiency, rewarding savings efforts, and opening up new opportunities for large companies, small businesses, and individuals alike.