The second phase of the E-Lar program begins this Thursday, September 11, with candidates expected to access the site from 10:30 a.m. to fill out the form. However, the site is currently unavailable.
“Service unavailable, please try again later” or “unable to access”, are some of the messages appearing when attempting to access the Environmental Fund’s website.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy, through the Climate Agency, has launched the second phase of the E-LAR Program, valued at 60.8 million euros, allowing people to apply starting this Thursday, December 11.
The date for the second phase of the program, aimed at the energy efficiency of buildings, was previously announced by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, during a parliamentary hearing on November 4.
Last week, in a statement, the Ministry of Environment emphasized that the new phase of E-Lar has 60.8 million euros available, more than double the first edition.
The government also states there is a new eligible expense in the contest for beneficiaries of the social electricity tariff, which is the removal of equipment and sealing of gas piping.
What is the E-Lar Program?
The E-Lar program funds the replacement of gas equipment with more efficient electric solutions, “consolidating the national commitment to energy efficiency, the electrification of household consumption, and the protection of vulnerable families,” the statement says.
According to the new notice published, people can apply starting today, with qualified suppliers having already expressed interest in remaining in the E-LAR Program.
Those who have not, according to the statement, have left the network of suppliers.
Energy Efficiency Rules Remain
In the statement, the Ministry reaffirms what the minister had already mentioned, that the energy efficiency rules remain.
The new equipment must comply with energy class A or higher, with exceptions already foreseen — electric plates without a minimum class and water heaters over 30 liters with class B or higher.
In the statement, Maria da Graça Carvalho mentions that the new stage of E-Lar represents “an even stronger commitment to the thermal comfort of families, the electrification of consumption, and the reduction of energy inequalities.”
The Ministry also highlights that the launch of the second phase occurs just days after the European Commission praised Portugal for the effectiveness of its policies to combat energy poverty.
In the previous tender in October, the program received 40,000 applications in just six days, rapidly exhausting the available sum of 30 million euros.
On the Environmental Fund’s page, it is explained that the objective of E-Lar is to support families in purchasing efficient equipment and in the electrification of energy consumption.
For example, it serves to support the replacement of gas-consuming equipment, such as stoves, ovens, and water heaters, with electrical equipment like hobs, ranges, or water heaters.
