The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group jointly announced on November 25 the launch of a €17.5 billion financing plan, specifically designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe in improving energy efficiency. The plan, scheduled to be implemented between 2025 and 2027, is expected to leverage a total of over €65 billion in related investments and benefit more than 350,000 SMEs across Europe.

According to Dan Jørgensen, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, SMEs account for 99% of the total number of enterprises in the EU, but they invest in energy efficiency upgrades at only half the rate of large enterprises. This plan will provide funds for enterprises’ energy-saving technological transformation through diversified financial instruments such as debt and equity. Meanwhile, a “one-stop service platform for SME energy efficiency” will be established to simplify the application process.

Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank Group, emphasized that this initiative will not only help enterprises reduce energy costs but also enhance the competitiveness and climate resilience of the European economy. The European Commission has simultaneously established a special working group to address the financing barriers faced by SMEs in collaboration with the “European Energy Efficiency Financing Alliance.” Financial support will be prioritized for energy-intensive industries such as manufacturing, catering, and retail, and it is expected that the average energy expenditure of beneficiary enterprises will be reduced by 30%.