Gas Natural Fenosa : SMEs in Spain still have the potential to save a quarter of energy they use

• Increased efficiency at SMEs could reduce their energy bills by 4.12 billion euros.

• A total of 9.9 million tonnes of CO emissions could be avoided, the same amount as produced by 2.7 million tourists per year.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises in Spain have the potential to save 24.2% of the energy they consume by implementing efficiency measures. This would equate to an economic saving of over 4.12 billion euros,in other words,0.37% of domestic GDP in 2016. This is one of the main conclusions reached by the 9th SME Energy Efficiency Index, which was presented by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation today.

'According to the study, the energy that SMEs could still save amounts to over 35,574 GWh and would lead to the emission of 9.9 million fewer tonnes of COinto the atmosphere, the same amount as produced by 2.7 million tourists per year', explained the General Manager of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, Martí Solà .

The study, drawn up following 2,000 interviews with SMEs throughout Spain, reflects the energy efficiency effort made by companies in recent years and reveals the direction they should work in to further reduce their energy costs. Of said potential saving of 24.2%, 8.8 percentage points correspond to lighting, while the remaining 15.4 percentage points correspond to other energy consumption by SMEs.

The Energy Efficiency Index (Spanish acronym: IEE) measures overall SME performance in the field of energy savings and stood at 5.9 points out of 10 this year, compared with 5.6 points in the previous edition (2015). 'A score of 3.1 was achieved in the first edition of the study, in 2005. This shows a clear improvement in recent years', explained Martí Solà.

By economic sector and size

The greatest energy efficiency in this edition of the study can be found in the hospitality industry (restaurants, cafeterias and hotels), with a score of 6.2 out of 10. On the other hand, the sector with the most savings potential is that of professional services, which can still save 26.3% of its energy bill through efficiency measures. The trade sector also has significant savings potential, at 25.1% of its energy bill. The industrial sector, with a score of 5.6 out of 10, currently has only a 12% energy saving potential.

The hospitality industry is one of those that has traditionally been more active in the application of energy efficiency measures. According to data from the study, 71% of the restaurants and cafeterias surveyed and 65.3% of hotels currently implements or plans to implement some sort of energy saving action to reduce costs. Furthermore, hotels are the places that most effectively control the temperature of air conditioning systems in winter. In contrast, trade sector establishments are the most efficient in adjusting temperature comfort levels in summer, while only a few hotels maintain adequate control over temperatures in the summer.

The index shows no significant variation in terms of the number of employees dedicated to this aspect, although the savings potential is greater at smaller companies (less than 10 salaried employees), standing at 24.32%. Whatever the size of the company, the greatest savings potential can be found in areas unrelated to lighting.

Data by autonomous region

The Energy Efficiency Index has risen in most autonomous regions since the last edition, and significant decreases were only seen in Asturias and Cantabria. The Canary Islands continue to lead the ranking (6.7 out of 10) and has increased its lead over the other autonomous regions.

The following stand above the national average of 5.9 points: Balearic Islands (6), Canary Islands (6.7), Cantabria (6), Castile-Leon (6.1), the Region of Valencia (6), Extremadura (6), Galicia (6), Murcia (6) and Navarre (6). Andalusia posted the average figure precisely (5.9).

Those regions falling below average are Aragon (5.8), Asturias (5.5), Castile-La Mancha (5.7), Catalonia (5.8), the Region of Madrid (5.8), the Basque Country (5.6) and La Rioja (5.2).

Strengths and weaknesses

The energy efficiency habits that seem most widespread are the use of flat-screen monitors for computers (85%), the control of cold rooms (over 70%), the control of ovens in industry (over 70%), the control of boilers in industry (control of emissions and regulation, at 72%, and the regular cleaning of burners, at 94%) and independent lighting in all areas of the installations (79%).

In contrast, the most widespread inefficient measures among SMEs are lacking an energy management system (94%), lacking a quality, energy or environmental management system (88%), not having taken part in any energy efficiency programme or subsidy (90%), not having contracted an energy audit in the last three years (94%) and only applying corrective maintenance to the lighting system (75%).

In this regard, there is still a long way to go in terms of energy efficiency at SMEs through the use of monitoring and telecommand equipment. Only 32.2% of companies have undertaken tariff optimisation or power adjustment in the last year, something that would enable them to save a considerable amount on their energy bills. Furthermore, participation in energy efficiency programmes is very low (4%).

SMEs have improved their energy efficiency in terms of temperature comfort when compared with the last edition, although there is still a great deal of room for improvement, especially in summer. When compared with the 2015 edition, LED technology has become prominent and risen from 26% to 53.1%.

Commitment by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation to efficiency

Set up in 1992 by GAS NATURAL FENOSA and with a presence in every country where the company operates, the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation is tasked with educating, training and informing society, as well as raising awareness about energy and environmental issues, and developing business and academic programmes, such as the First Export Programme.

It also develops Social Action programmes both nationally and internationally, by influencing particular initiatives aimed at alleviating energy vulnerability. It promotes initiatives in the cultural sphere that are geared both to preserving and disseminating the historical heritage of the gas and electricity sector through its Gas Museum, and to educating and stimulating society artistically through the multi-disciplinary space of the Contemporary Art Museum.

The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation has maintained a firm commitment to energy efficiency for many years. This stance is reflected in the organisation of and participation in numerous activities aimed at promoting energy efficiency among the public and small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Barcelona, 14 June 2017.

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