The Energy Savings Certificate System (CAE) continues to consolidate itself as an essential tool to promote energy efficiency in Spain. With more than 1,200 registered actions, this system allows both companies and individuals to implement energy-saving measures and receive certificates that can be traded, generating economic benefits from the energy not consumed.
Objectives and Operation of the CAE System
The main objective of the CAE is twofold: on the one hand, to encourage the reduction of energy consumption and, on the other, to facilitate companies'''''''' compliance with efficiency obligations through the acquisition of these certificates. This model, already successfully tested in other European countries, is advancing in Spain with new regulatory developments and operational improvements.
New Catalogue of Standardised Action Sheets
To facilitate participation in the CAE System, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has published a new catalogue of standardised action sheets. These sheets include predefined and officially recognised energy efficiency measures, simplifying procedures and reducing uncertainty for the actors involved. The catalogue covers various areas, from improving the efficiency of HVAC and lighting systems to optimising industrial processes. With this tool, both companies and administrations can easily identify which actions can generate savings certificates and what requirements must be met.
Energy Savings Auction System
In addition to the evolution of the CAE system, MITECO conducted a prior public consultation to develop an auction system for energy savings needs. This mechanism seeks to promote energy efficiency through a competitive model in which commitments to reduce consumption are auctioned.
The auction system allows companies to compete for energy savings contracts, submitting bids that reflect the cost per unit of energy saved. In this way, the State incentivises consumption reduction at the lowest possible cost, ensuring greater efficiency in the allocation of public resources.
The deadline for submitting documentation in this public consultation was from Friday, 7 February 2025, to Friday, 28 February 2025. During this period, numerous actors from the energy sector, as well as interested citizens, submitted their contributions through the electronic administration form. This participatory process was a key opportunity to influence the design of a system that could transform the way energy demand is managed in Spain.
CAE Route 2025: Balance and Outlook
According to official MITECO data, in the first year of operation of the CAE system in Spain, annual savings of 2 TWh have been achieved, reducing 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ and cutting €200 million from the energy bill. In addition, €230 million in additional revenue has been obtained through the sale of these savings.
Towards a More Efficient and Sustainable Energy Model
MITECO''''''''s initiatives reflect a strong commitment to sustainability and emission reduction. The CAE system, together with the energy savings auction system, lays the foundations for a more efficient model that not only benefits companies and consumers but also contributes to national and international climate goals. Energy efficiency is one of the fundamental pillars to advance the ecological transition, and tools such as these enable both the private and public sectors to collaborate in reducing consumption without compromising economic competitiveness.
Sources:
https://forma.administracionelectronica.gob.es/form/open/corp/38836cae-115b-43c0-a33f-8de40ebf0eec/JgdX
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/energia/participacion/2025/detalle-participacion-publica-k-727.html
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/energia/eficiencia/cae.html