Programa INNOVAE Grant

About this grant

The Programa INNOVAE (Programa de incentivos a proyectos singulares innovadores de ahorro y eficiencia energética) is a Spanish grant line run by IDAE and funded from the Fondo Nacional de Eficiencia Energética. It aims to fund singular innovative energy saving and efficiency projects that reduce final energy consumption through the best available technologies. The first call is endowed with 115 million euros, split across four sub-programmes: sustainable mobility (30 M€), industry (30 M€), renovation of existing tertiary-sector buildings into zero-emission buildings (30 M€), and replacement of large refrigeration generators (25 M€). The mobility sub-programme supports innovative actions that avoid trips or shift modes, promote shared vehicles and rides including rural mobility solutions, apply digital technologies such as Big Data or AI to reduce mobility energy use, and deliver final energy savings in road transport. Projects must save at least 60 toe per year, have a minimum eligible cost of 200,000 euros, and receive up to 4.5 million euros, with a maximum execution period of 18 months. The industry sub-programme funds process technology improvements that reduce final energy use, with a minimum 20% saving, a minimum eligible cost of 100,000 euros, a maximum aid of 2 million euros per project, and a 24-month execution limit. Cogeneration and renewable installations that do not achieve final energy savings are excluded. The tertiary building sub-programme requires combining two or more measures (envelope, ventilation, heating distribution, lighting, controls, on-site renewables, digitalisation) to reach an A or B energy rating and at least 60% primary and 20% final energy savings, with eligible costs of at least 1 million euros and aid up to 3 million euros over 24 months. The refrigeration sub-programme supports replacing compression refrigeration systems above 100 kW with at least 20% savings, minimum cost 100,000 euros, aid up to 2 million euros, and 18 months execution. All applications are made through the IDAE electronic headquarters, in Spanish, during the window from 15 September 2026 at 09:00 to 18 November 2026 at 12:00. The call is competitive and governed by Orden TED/569/2026 and the extract published in BOE 177 of 22 July 2026.

Eligibility

Eligible beneficiaries vary by sub-programme. Mobility projects are open to companies with legal personality of any size, sole traders registered with the Spanish tax authority census, business consortia and associations with legal personality, universities and R&D centres with legal personality, and public sector entities under Law 40/2015. Industry projects are open to industrial companies whose CNAE 2025 code appears in annex 1.3(b) of the bases, plus energy service companies. Tertiary building projects are open to companies with legal personality, universities and R&D centres, public sector entities, energy service companies, owners' communities and their associations, and non-profit third-sector entities, associations and foundations. Refrigeration projects are open to companies with legal personality, sole traders carrying out economic activity, universities and R&D centres, business consortia, public sector entities and energy service companies. The programme is restricted to projects located in Spain, and the call is run under the Spanish regulatory framework.

How it's scored

Applications are assessed competitively (concurrencia competitiva) against the eligibility and technical requirements set out in the bases (Orden TED/569/2026). The page does not disclose specific scoring weightings or panel composition; these are presumably detailed in the bases or the call resolution.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must focus on innovative energy efficiency or renewable energy solutions
• ✓Applicant must be eligible under IDAE programme rules (typically Spanish or EU-based entities)
• ✓Project should demonstrate innovation and potential for market deployment or impact

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía offer?

Programa INNOVAE offers $4.5M.

When is the Programa INNOVAE deadline?

Applications close 18 Nov 2026 11:00.

Who can apply for Programa INNOVAE?

Eligibility covers organisations in ES, EU; startup, sme, large-company, nonprofit, university, research-institution, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.