Abstract

Industrial SMEs represent 99 % or more of the total number of companies in most countries, and one-third of the total industrial energy use. Despite this, industrial SMEs have not received much attention both in terms of research and policies. The scientific papers published in the field covers national energy efficiency policy programs and evaluations of these, while scientific studies of regional policy programs are few. SMEs in general have a low capacity to work on improved energy efficiency, and the term SME is generally too vague to provide any guidance on how to design public policy programs. Administrative policies might be a sound approach for mediumsized enterprises but for small-sized enterprises the administrative policies could be less effective. For medium-sized and energy-intensive industrial SMEs, economic and/or regulatory incentives are important, while for small-sized and non-energy intensive industrial SMEs there is a need for a more supportive approach.

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of existing regional energy efficiency policies targeting industrial SMEs in seven selected EU member states. This overview also provides an insight of the type of policy approach (informative, economic or administrative) that is most commonly used in regional policy activities.

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Panels of

1. Policies and Programmes to drive transformation

2. Sustainable production towards a circular economy

3. Energy management

4. Technology, products and systems

5. Business models, finance and investment

6. Deep decarbonisation of industry