About
The state-owned enterprise Enova was established in 2001 to facilitate restructuring of energy use and energy production. The Norwegian Parliament has designated Enova as a key policy tool for the development of a low-carbon society and the energy system of the future. Enova provides financial grants for specific projects within various fields that contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions, innovation and technology development. In 2023, Enova provided grants totalling almost NOK 6 billion for approximately 35 000 energy and climate measures in Norway. Moreover, Enova provides grants for technology development to facilitate the green shift, often in collaboration with Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway.
With regard to property/buildings, Enova has, inter alia, provided grants for choosing the best available technology when upgrading existing buildings, the purchase of emission-free construction machinery, funding in connection with applications to the EU Innovation Funds and the engineering of used components in new buildings. In 2023, Enova launched three new programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency in existing buildings. Two of the programs are intended to enhance energy efficiency in commercial buildings, while the third program is specifically aimed at housing cooperatives and condominiums:
- The first program concerns grants for projects that improve the energy condition of existing commercial buildings by more than 20%. The program is particularly relevant for older and/or energy-intensive buildings that have a greater potential for improving their energy standards.
- The second program pertains to grants for conducting energy mapping in commercial buildings. The purpose is to provide the owner of the building or tenant with a mapping report that offers a fact-based overview of the building's current energy condition and potential for improvement.
- The third program concerns grants for energy measures in housing cooperatives, condominiums, and other residential corporations. To apply, there must be a plan to improve the energy condition by 20% or more.
Who does it impact?
All property owners that are going to refurbish existing buildings or construct new buildings, as well as other parties, such as industrial businesses, wishing to use and/or develop technological solutions that facilitate the green shift.
Status: Launched
Enova was established in 2001. Enova’s grant budget is appropriated annually by the Storting via the fiscal budget.
Thommessen's comments
Property owners that are going to construct new, or refurbish existing, buildings, and businesses of an industrial nature that plans to make investments/launch projects to contribute to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and adaption to the low-emission society, should carefully check what opportunities Enova’s grant schemes may offer for the project.
A key role of Enova is to provide financial inducements for parties to opt for sustainable solutions that would otherwise have been deselected because of excessive cost. Enova also provides grants for pilot projects on the development and use of new technological solutions that boost the transition to a low-carbon society.