How ACT Empowered DIFISA to Achieve 40% ROI through Tailored Energy Efficiency Solutions
By leveraging Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), ACT helps clients not only improve energy efficiency but also achieve significant returns on investment. This customer-centric approach has made ACT a trusted partner for companies like DIFISA, who sought to enhance energy efficiency and secure additional financial benefits for their clients.
DIFISA, a company specializing in industrial refrigeration systems, faced a significant challenge with a client in the mushroom industry. The client's cooling system operated continuously during the whole year, resulting in high energy consumption, and making energy efficiency a critical concern.
As the project progressed, the client began seeking a highly energy-efficient cooling solution, which brought the relevance of CAE into sharper focus.
How we ACT on it
"Partnering with ACT has been a game-changer for us. Their expertise made the process of securing Energy Savings Certificates (CAE) incredibly smooth, and the financial return was beyond what our clients expected—almost 40% on a €200,000 project.”
— David Leal, CEO of DIFISA
To unlock the financial benefits associated with Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), DIFISA turned to us at ACT. Leveraging our expertise in energy efficiency projects we provided a comprehensive solution tailored to DIFISA's specific needs.
We began by supplying all the necessary documentation and guidance for enabling the transfer of energy savings benefits. Understanding the complexity of the CAE process, we used our extensive network to find a delegated entity that could purchase the energy savings certificates generated by the client's new, energy-efficient cooling system. This partnership streamlined the entire process, ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements were met with minimal hassle for DIFISA and their client.
The result was a win-win situation. The client, who had initially been unaware of the potential financial return from energy savings, received a significant reimbursement—almost 40% of the project cost, which totalled around €200,000. This unexpected return not only enhanced the client's satisfaction but also bolstered DIFISA's commercial reputation by demonstrating their ability to deliver both technical and financial value.
Our solution effectively turned a potential setback into a substantial economic advantage, providing DIFISA and their client with the tools and expertise needed to capitalize on energy efficiency and sustainability opportunities.
Results
The collaboration between DIFISA and ACT led to several key benefits, enhancing both immediate financial outcomes and providing long-term advantages in environmental impact, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Flexibility in funding: We helped the client transition from a slow public funding system to a more agile private, bilateral contract system. This reduced the time required to secure funding from 12-18 months to just a few months, improving cash flow management and allowing DIFISA and its clients to capitalize on energy savings opportunities without delays.
Environmental impact: Our energy-efficient solutions, designed to help customers achieve their goals in a simple and efficient way, led to significant reductions in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. By optimizing energy consumption, DIFISA's clients lowered their carbon footprint, ensured compliance with European regulations, and reduced reliance on high energy tariffs, contributing to a more sustainable operation.
Cost efficiency and ROI: The measures we introduced resulted in decreased energy bills and operational costs for DIFISA’s clients. By leveraging Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), we ensured that clients not only improved their energy efficiency but also secured a significant return on investment, further enhancing financial stability and profitability.
Additional long-term benefits: Our solutions also brought added value, including job creation through the development of energy-efficient infrastructure, improved regulatory compliance, and future-proofing DIFISA’s operations against evolving environmental standards.
A practical example of renewable energy hedging
Imagine a company based in the UK that is committed to reducing its Scope 2 emissions and meeting its sustainability targets. The company’s energy procurement manager has decided to secure a long-term contract for REGOs through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This agreement ensures that the company can purchase REGOs at a fixed price, providing protection against future market volatility.
By implementing this hedging strategy, the company achieves several key outcomes. First, it can accurately forecast energy costs, leading to better financial planning and budget management. Second, the company can confidently report its renewable energy usage and emissions reductions, supporting its commitments to sustainability frameworks like SBTi.
This proactive approach to hedging not only provides financial stability but also strengthens the company’s reputation as a sustainability leader. In a competitive marketplace, where transparency and environmental responsibility are increasingly valued, this kind of foresight in energy procurement can be a significant competitive advantage.
“The efficiency and ease of the process were outstanding, and it's something I now recommend to all our clients. Every new installation we undertake considers the CAE topic, which I believe will become standard practice in the coming years."
— David Leal, CEO of DIFISA
Overall, our partnership provided DIFISA with a flexible, efficient approach to funding and energy management, resulting in reduced emissions, cost savings, and long-term regulatory preparedness. These benefits, while perhaps not immediately noticeable on a smaller scale, have a significant impact on the broader industry, advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in Spain.
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