Lombardy, 43 million from the Region for energy efficiency and machinery

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The Lombardy Region's commitment to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises continues with the activation of a tool to encourage investments in energy efficiency. A total of EUR 43.2 million is available for Lombardy's SMEs that intend to adapt or renovate production facilities, including through the use of renewable energies, in order to reduce their environmental impact, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The measure, called "Investimenti - Linea Impresa Efficiente", makes it possible to obtain a non-repayable grant and a free regional guarantee on a medium-long term loan granted and disbursed by lenders.

"Helping companies modernise their plants and optimise production processes means creating the conditions for them to remain competitive and win market challenges," commented the Region's Economic Development Councillor Guido Guidesi. "Efficiency enhancement interventions on the one hand make it possible to make the business environmentally sustainable, contributing to the achievement of objectives, and on the other they make it possible to reduce energy-related costs, which still have a significant impact, especially in our country," he added, explaining that, "as the Lombardy Region, we are implementing new tools that respond to the specific needs of our production system. We are concretely at the side of those who every day, with their work, make our land great'.

Eligible expenses are those relating to machinery, production facilities, equipment and hardware necessary for the achievement of production goals, energy-saving home automation systems, low-consumption LED lighting fixtures, energy consumption monitoring systems, plants for the production of electricity or heat from renewable sources, photovoltaic or thermal solar plants installed on buildings or existing structures (canopies, roofs or greenhouses), high-efficiency cogeneration plants, energy storage/accumulation systems, technical consultancy expenses related to the implementation of the project.

The total budget is EUR 43,232,662. Projects for which applications can be submitted - on the Bandi e Servizi platform - must be worth between a minimum of EUR 100,000 and a maximum of EUR 5 million. The non-repayable grant is determined as a percentage of the total eligible expenditure in relation to the aid scheme applied, while the guaranteed loan is intended to finance the portion not covered by the non-repayable grant, up to 100% of the eligible investment.