National finance 36.3 billion subsidies for energy-saving products

The state will arrange 36.3 billion yuan in financial subsidies to promote the consumption of energy-saving home appliances and other products, and implement an energy efficiency "leader" system to expand domestic demand and promote energy conservation and emission reduction. Yesterday, the executive meeting of the State Council passed relevant resolutions.

Among them, 26.5 billion yuan of financial subsidies will be arranged to start the promotion of air conditioners, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and water heaters that meet energy-saving standards. The promotion period is tentatively set for one year; 2.2 billion yuan will be allocated to support the promotion of energy-saving lamps and LED lights; 6 billion yuan will be allocated Support the promotion of energy-saving vehicles with displacements of 1.6 liters and below; Arrange 1.6 billion yuan to support the promotion of high-efficiency motors.

An energy conservation expert told the China Business News that the subsidy amount of 36.3 billion yuan is more than the sum of the subsidy amount for the first phase of the three-year energy-saving and benefiting project (only subsidized fixed-frequency air conditioners). The government is determined to promote the consumption of energy-saving products.

The subsidy policy will also implement the energy efficiency "leader" system, and set higher subsidy standards for ultra-efficient products that meet the "leader" energy efficiency indicators. The above-mentioned experts revealed that the scope of implementation of the "Lead Runner" system covers the above-mentioned 9 types of products, "but not only for end-use energy products."

The "leader" system includes two aspects. One is the end-use energy products. For example, if an inverter air conditioner achieves first-class energy efficiency, one unit will receive a subsidy of 200 yuan; if it meets the "leader's" standard, one unit will receive a subsidy of 500 yuan. “It’s not a ‘leader’ standard that 20%~30% of the products in the industry can achieve. The ‘leader’ standard is a relatively high level in the industry,” said the above-mentioned expert.

Another aspect is energy-using companies. Like power plants and steel mills, their unit product energy consumption value, such as "energy consumption per ton of steel", which meets the industry's "leading runner" standard, will also receive financial subsidies.

The "leader" standard will be adjusted upwards after a period of implementation. The above-mentioned experts revealed that air conditioners, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters are expected to take the lead in implementing the "Lead Runner" system. The relevant standards are estimated to be announced during the "Energy Conservation Promotion Week" in the second week of June this year.

In the future, new national projects using fans, pumps, air compressors, motors, air conditioners, lighting appliances, etc. must meet the national first-level energy efficiency standards, and this will be included in the bidding documents and contracts; the country will also raise the entry threshold for energy efficiency. Speed up the revision of energy efficiency standards for key energy-using products.

The new policy not only benefits the home appliance industry, but also benefits the strategic emerging industry of LED. Ruan Jun, executive deputy secretary-general of the National Semiconductor Lighting Engineering R&D and Industry Alliance, told this newspaper that the subsidy of 2.2 billion yuan will promote the promotion and utilization of LEDs in the lighting industry, and in the long run will drive the civilian LED lighting market.

However, an automotive industry analyst has reservations about the effect of subsidies for energy-efficient vehicles. He said that the energy-saving vehicle subsidy had been implemented for a period of time, and it was stopped in September last year, and this time it was renewed. Only cars that are one grade higher than the current energy-saving standards can receive subsidies. This requires technology, and at the same time increases costs and prices will rise. “Subsidies may not compensate for the increase in selling prices.” Moreover, the domestic car ownership is too large, and urban roads and garages have certain tolerance limits, and "re-stimulation will not have much effect."

Despite the mixed responses, the above-mentioned experts suggested that companies should seize policy opportunities and strive to increase product energy consumption.