The objective of the ESEPymes project is to contribute to the reconversion of SMEs in the construction sector, which are in crisis, into Energy Service Companies (ESES), offering the necessary advice to create a new sustainable business opportunity. Two specific objectives are thus achieved: to improve employment in the sector and to contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The objective of the ESEPymes project is to contribute to the reconversion of SMEs in the construction sector, which are in crisis, into Energy Service Companies (ESES), offering the necessary advice to create a new sustainable business opportunity. Two specific objectives are thus achieved: to improve employment in the sector and to contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy Service Companies (ESES) are organizations that provide energy services at a given user’s premises. The payment of services is based on obtaining energy savings.

These savings will be achieved through energy efficiency improvements to the facilities or through renewable energy sources. Therefore, with the activity of the ESES, Spain’s commitment to achieve the “20-20-20”, established in European Directive 2009/28/EC, to achieve 20% of final energy consumption from renewable sources, a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and in general, a reduction in final energy consumption of 20% compared to the trend consumption by 2020, is supported.

On the other hand, the administration is promoting the activity of the ESCOs both through the Energy Efficiency Activation Plan in the buildings of the General State Administration, and with financial aid to ESES or specific plans such as BIOMCASA, GEOTCASA, SOLCASA, etc. In short, by redirecting the activity of SMEs in crisis towards this new business model, greater market demand is guaranteed.

The project is intended for professionals, technicians and employees belonging to Spanish SMEs related to the value chain of the construction and building renovation sector, grouped into:

• Directors, managers and self-employed managers or workers of SMEs linked to the construction and efficient rehabilitation sector, to advise them on the conversion of their SME to an ESCO, attending to economic, administrative and creation aspects of an ESCO.
• Architecture and engineering professionals. It includes both architects and senior engineers as well as technicians who exercise their profession both as self-employed and as workers of SMEs and who carry out energy efficiency work and the implementation of renewable energies.
• Installers and maintainers of electrical and thermal systems. Professionals belonging to SMEs working in the construction/refurbishment sector of buildings, carrying out the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

The objectives of the project are:

• Training of 630 recipients although the project will reach 692 workers.
• Reconversion of 10 construction companies into ESES and creation of 4 companies to be constituted as ESES.
• Carrying out 20 energy audits by the professionals participating in the actions.