A manufacturing SME runs older compressed-air and motor systems that consume more energy than current high-efficiency equipment would. Compressed air in particular is an expensive utility, and leaks and inefficient compressors waste a large share of it. The company wants to replace the systems with high-efficiency units, cutting its energy bill, but wants to reduce the upfront cost of the upgrade.
The cross-cutting technologies module of the EEW funds the replacement of widely used cross-cutting technologies, electric motors and drives, pumps, fans, and compressed-air systems, with high-efficiency units. It is open only to small and medium-sized enterprises, and to replacing existing equipment that has been in use for at least five years. The grant is non-repayable, the rate is 25% for small and 20% for medium-sized companies, at most €200,000, work may only start once the grant decision is issued, and the equipment must run as intended for at least three years.
These technologies are everywhere in industry and often run far below the efficiency that current equipment achieves, so replacing them is one of the most reliable ways to cut energy use without changing the production process itself.
The upgrade fits the cross-cutting technologies module directly: high-efficiency compressors and motors replacing the older units. The eligible costs are the new equipment and its installation. As a small company, the manufacturer receives the module's higher rate, 25% rather than 20%. On the investment in new high-efficiency systems, the grant comes to about €120,000. The company applies before any binding order and operates the new equipment for the required minimum period.
The cross-cutting technologies module is applied for before the purchase, through the Foerderzentrale Deutschland, and the funded equipment must be operated as intended for at least three years. Small companies receive 25%, medium-sized ones 20%; large companies are excluded from this module. A short assessment of the existing systems, the age and efficiency of the motors, pumps, fans and the compressed-air installation, and the losses from leaks, helps size the saving and supports the application. Compressed air in particular repays attention, because a large share of its running cost is often lost to leaks and to oversized or inefficient compressors, so the saving from a high-efficiency replacement can be substantial.
A €120k BAFA EEW grant.
The grant covers a meaningful share of the upgrade and improves its payback. Energy use falls across the plant, the compressed-air system runs efficiently again, and the company cuts a recurring cost without touching its production process.
Module 1 · Cross-cutting technologies · 25% for small co.The cross-cutting technologies module is one of the simplest BAFA EEW routes: replace inefficient everyday equipment with high-efficiency units and have a share funded. For any SME running older motors, pumps, fans or compressed-air systems, it is a low-effort way to cut energy cost, provided the grant is secured before the investment.
More on BAFA EEW: The guide BAFA EEW: modules, grant rates and application explains the programme step by step. How we support your project is covered under BAFA EEW consulting.
The questions we hear most about the programme. Short answer first, detail after.
The replacement of widely used cross-cutting technologies such as electric motors and drives, pumps, fans and compressed-air systems with high-efficiency units, for small and medium-sized enterprises only.
Replacement only: the old equipment must have been in use at your company for at least five years, belong to you and still work fully, and it may not be operated afterwards. Without a replacement, only heat exchangers, plant insulation and retrofitted variable-speed drives are funded.
Only small and medium-sized enterprises: small ones receive 25%, medium-sized ones 20% of eligible costs, with a grant of at most €200,000. Large companies are excluded.
Before any binding order; you may only start once the grant decision is issued. You must then operate the funded equipment as intended for at least three years.
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