On Friday 28th January 2022, the EU-funded EXCESS partnership supporting the demo case in Kalasatama, Helsinki, Finland, organized an online co-innovation workshop on financing opportunities for Positive Energy Buildings (PEBs). The workshop presented the latest findings from the EXCESS project and engaged with local stakeholders to discuss the tools available to finance the large-scale roll-out of PEBs.

During the event, we focused on existing funding mechanisms from the perspective of different stakeholders from both the public and private sector. In the discussion taking place, key Finnish players in the field had the opportunity to share how different financial instruments could be used to promote the wider spread of positive-energy buildings.

As a brief summary of the workshop, it can be mentioned that many of the inputs collected have confirmed previous research and project’s findings. Participants' comments highlighted the need for clear communication as well as additional information on the long-term benefits of PEBs. We also received interesting suggestions on sharing practical experience and peer support, for example through discussion events, “service phones” or model templates. Participants also suggested various incentives for those willing to commit to a significant increase in energy efficiency: progressive incentives, the concentration of funding on specific projects, low-cost green loans, and tax incentives were mentioned as possible ways to promote a wider uptake of PEBs.

Next, the lessons of this workshop will be combined with the results of stakeholders engagement in the other demo countries. Particular attention will be drawn to similarities and the biggest differences between countries which will feed into the project’s report on funding opportunities for PEBs.

Find the materials (in Finnish) from the workshop here.