The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative, the first EU-wide programme dedicated to accelerating energy savings among small and medium-sized enterprises, is on track to exceed its targets after a successful first year of operation. In 2025, the initiative delivered €6 billion in financing, enabling up to 150,000 SMEs across Europe to invest in energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures.
Between 2025 and 2027, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group aims to provide €17.5 billion in financing to support up to 350,000 SMEs in lowering energy costs and reducing their carbon footprint. The initiative was launched in collaboration with the European Commission, which also supports the programme via the InvestEU fund. The Solar Impulse Foundation contributed insights during the initiative’s design phase, drawing from its network of over 1,600 innovative and efficient solutions.
The first year’s results include the establishment of new EIB credit lines with partner banks in the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain to finance SME energy efficiency projects. The European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, also supports the initiative through infrastructure and cleantech venture capital funds and the InvestEU Sustainability Guarantee, which encourages the sustainable and green transition of European small businesses.
EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle emphasized that energy efficiency is not just a technical measure but a strategic imperative to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness while achieving climate goals. EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, noted that boosting SME energy efficiency promotes competitiveness, climate action, and thriving communities. Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, highlighted the initiative’s energy efficiency as a service model, which shifts SMEs from purchasing equipment to paying for energy savings, removing upfront costs, and turning sustainability into a source of profit.
The Green Gateway advisory platform, developed with support from the European Commission’s InvestEU Advisory Hub, has been central to the initiative’s success. It serves as a portal for banks and SMEs to identify, assess, and report green investments. Enhancements include a revamped Group Green Checker, which assesses eligibility for EIB green financing, a dedicated helpdesk, an expanded e-learning programme, and a new webinar series for partner banks.
Recent announcements at the Green Gateway event in Luxembourg included partnerships with Eiffel Investment Group and Solas Capital to establish joint financing platforms for SME energy efficiency projects. These platforms will pilot the “servitisation” model, allowing SMEs to access energy-saving technologies without purchasing equipment. Under this model, businesses pay for services such as lighting or heating while the provider owns and maintains the equipment, easing adoption of green technologies and increasing competitiveness.
The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative is a flagship programme under the EIB Group’s Strategic Roadmap 2024–2027, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development, economic resilience, and strengthening the competitiveness of European SMEs.
