As local companies continue to advance toward sustainable approaches, the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) is increasing its support through upgrades to the Energy Audit for SMEs Scheme. This initiative provides increased financial assistance to SMEs, facilitating greater access to energy audits and encouraging more businesses to integrate sustainable measures into their daily operations.
Energy Audits play an important role at helping companies become more sustainable. This is done by assessing their energy consumption and identifying the areas for improvement. Through this process, businesses receive a detailed analysis of their energy and water usage, along with appropriate recommendations on how to reduce consumption and lower operational costs. These suggested improvements help companies make informed investments in energy efficiency, ultimately contributing to their long-term sustainability goals.
Updated Financial Support for Energy Audits:
The initiative offers grants assisting the companies with the cost of energy audits held by certified auditors. The updated grant amounts now range from a minimum of €2,500 to a maximum of €6,000, depending on the size of the company. The revised scheme provides broader eligibility, allowing more businesses to access the maximum grant amount in recognition of sector-specific operational complexities.
Below is a breakdown of the maximum grant eligibility based on company size and category:
| Category | Description | Medium Size | Small Size |
| Category 1 | Enterprises in NACE groups C, G, I, Q-Subgroups 86 and 87, M-Subgroup 72, and R | € 6,000 | € 4,000 |
| Category 2 | Enterprises in all other NACE groups | € 4,000 | € 2,500 |
The Recognition of Sustainability Efforts:
As part of the Malta Engineering Excellence Award 2024 (MEEA), the commitment to sustainability was also highlighted through the Energy & Water Sustainability Award 2024, with four companies nominated for their efforts: Busy Bee LTD, Crane Currency, Eden Leisure Group, and STMicroelectronics.
The award was won by STMicroelectronics for their Implementation of Advanced Water & Wastewater Treatment. By recycling industrial wastewater that was previously discharged into public sewers, the company achieved an impressive annual gain of 52,000 m³ of raw imported water, representing 32% of their total raw water consumption for 2023.
To commemorate such achievements, a tree-planting event was held, where forty trees were planted at the Ġnien l-Għarusa tal-Mosta. Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, Hon. Dr. Miriam Dalli, and Members of the Chamber of Engineers were also present.
Applications:
The scheme remains open until 20th December 2026, and applications can be accessed online via the EWA’s Energy Audit for SMEs Section. For any inquiries, please reach out via email at energyefficiency@gov.mt or call 2229 2558.
The Energy and Water Agency remains committed to supporting businesses on their journey towards greater energy efficiency and sustainability, ensuring a greener future for all.