Green Investment Scheme: Experience and results in the Czech Republic

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 90; pp. 121 - 130
• Main Authors: Karásek, Jiří, Pavlica, Jaroslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Abatement; Biomass; Biomass energy production; Boilers; Carbon dioxide; Cost control; Cost reduction; Czech Republic; Data base management systems; Data processing; Economics; Effectiveness; Effectiveness studies; Emission analysis; Emissions control; Emissions reduction; Energy; Energy efficiency; Energy savings; Government subsidies; Green aspects; Green buildings; Green Investment Scheme; Green Savings Programme; Greening; Heat exchangers; Heat pumps; Houses; Indexes; Information systems; Insulation; Investment; Investments; Low energy; Mathematical analysis; Payback periods; Reduction; Solar heating; Subsidies; Subsidy; Czech Republic; Green Savings Programme; Green Investment Scheme; Subsidy; Emissions reduction; Energy savings
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.12.020

The key goal of this study was to analyse application of the Green Investment Scheme in the Czech Republic through the Green Savings Programme finalising in 2015. The programme was evaluated in terms of aspects of both reduction effectiveness and economic aspects of the basic subsidy categories: (a) Insulation; (b) Low-Energy Houses; (c) Biomass Boilers; (d) Solar Thermal Systems and (e) Heat Pumps. The essential results of the programme were also covered, including the number of projects supported, the total volume of emission reduction and the volume of financial funding. The basic evaluation was based on selected indicators, including abatement costs, greening ratio, payback period and subsidy share of investment costs. The primary data for calculating originated from the database of the Information System of the Green Savings Programme by the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic. The calculated value of abatement cost was between 12 (heat pumps and biomass boilers) and 272€tCO2−1(low-energy houses). The shortest payback time-periods were calculated for insulation at 11.2 and 3.8 years respectively, without and including the provided subsidy. On the contrary, there was no economic payback in the case of biomass boilers, due to transition to an economically costlier fuel. •Unique, thorough study of the Green Investment Scheme in the Czech Republic.•Recommendation on the evaluation parameters of the energy efficiency projects.•Study is a great inspiration for Eastern European and Middle Asian countries.•Instigation to develop similar supporting schemes for energy efficiency and RES-H.