S.L. 623.1 Art. 11Financial incentives and market barriers.

(1) In view of the importance of providing appropriate financing and other instruments to catalyse the energy performance of buildings and the transition to nearly zero-energy buildings, the Building and Construction Authority shall take all appropriate steps to consider the most relevant instruments in the light of national circumstances.

(2) The Building and Construction Authority shall draw up a list of existing and, if appropriate, proposed measures and instruments, including those of a financial nature, other than those required by these regulations, which promote the objectives of these regulations. The Building and Construction Authority shall update this list every three years and communicate these lists to the EU Commission which may be included in the Energy Efficiency Action Plans referred to in Directive 2006/32/EC.

(3) The Building and Construction Authority shall link its financial measures for energy efficiency improvements in the renovation of buildings to the targeted or achieved energy savings, as determined by one or more of the following criteria:

(a) the energy performance of the equipment or material used for the renovation; in which case, the equipment or material used for the renovation is to be installed by an installer with the relevant level of certification or qualification;

(b) standard values for calculation of energy savings in buildings;

(c) the improvement achieved due to such renovation by comparing energy performance certificates issued before and after renovation;

(d) the results of an energy audit;

(e) the results of another relevant, transparent and proportionate method that shows the improvement in energy performance:

Provided that databases for energy performance certificates shall allow data to be gathered on the measured or calculated energy consumption of the buildings covered, including at least public buildings for which an energy performance certificate, as referred to and have been issued in accordance with regulation 12 and regulation 13.

Provided further that at least aggregated anonymised data compliant with Union and national data protection requirements shall be made available on request for statistical and research purposes and to the building owner..

(4) The provisions of these regulations shall not prevent the Building and Construction Authority from providing incentives for new buildings, renovations or building elements which go beyond the cost-optimal levels.

(5) The Minister shall use all appropriate measures, tools and incentives, including energy labels developed under Regulation

(EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU, energy performance certificates established pursuant to regulation 12, and other appropriate certificates or standards developed at European Union or national level, and shall ensure the provision of adequate information and advice on renewable, highly energy efficient alternatives, as well as on financial instruments and incentives available to promote an increased replacement rate of old heating systems and an increased transition to solutions based on renewable energy.