12. 12.09:
Technical assistance for local energy investment
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The shape of the ELENA (European Local ENergy Assistance) facility has been clarified. This joint European Commission and European Investment Bank (EIB) initiative is to provide EUR15 million in 2010 (through the Intelligent Energy-Europe programme) for technical assistance actions associated with local authority undertakings which lay the groundwork for and mobilise further investment in large-scale sustainable energy activities.
ELENA support is intended to partly cover the costs necessary in preparing for viable long-term investment projects and programmes relating to the upgrading of public and private buildings, district heating networks, and environmentally-friendly transport. The support is especially intended to help local authorities to realise the ambitions underpinning their own Sustainable Energy Action Plans - a prerequisite for membership of the Covenant of Mayors which recently welcomed its 1000th signatory.
Eligible actions which may be supported may include energy audits, investment identification (and bundling for reduced transaction costs), feasibility and market studies, business plans, programme/plan development, and assembling suitable external financing arrangements. The ultimate large-scale investments that emerge may possibly be financed by loans from the EIB or other sources.
