Complete guide
What Energy Saving Certificates are
Everything you need to know about the Spanish CAE System: legal framework, key actors and how to monetise your savings.
Official definition
An Energy Saving Certificate (CAE) is an electronic document that evidences a saving of 1 kWh of final energy over one year, derived from a verified energy efficiency action. Each CAE has economic value and can be bought and sold in the market.
Spanish Royal Decree 36/2023 of 24 January, establishing a system of Energy Saving Certificates.
System actors
Obligated parties
Gas and electricity retailers and wholesale petroleum operators. They are legally required to submit CAEs every year.
Delegated body
Authorised entity that processes CAEs on behalf of the action owner. Coordinates the entire technical and administrative process.
Action owner
The company or entity that has invested in energy efficiency and that receives the financial settlement of the CAE.
Verifier
Accredited body that technically validates the energy saving prior to certificate issuance.
Regional authority
Public body responsible for reviewing the file and issuing the CAE in the official system.
Eligible actions
There are two main categories:
Standard actions
Listed in the Ministry's official catalogue. They use predefined methodology and are faster to process.
Ejemplos
LED lighting · Variable frequency drives · Condensing boilers · Thermal insulation · IE3/IE4 motors
Singular actions
Specific projects not listed in the catalogue. They require a custom technical study and methodology.
Ejemplos
Industrial heat recovery · Process optimisation · Cogeneration · Energy management systems