Energy audits within the framework of Royal Decree 56/2016
Royal Decree 56/2016, of 12 February, transposing Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 25 October 2012, on energy performance, with regard to energy audits, accreditation of service providers and energy auditors and promotion of the energy performance of energy supply establishes the obligation for certain companies to carry out an energy audit of their installations.
This decree applies to Spanish companies with more than 250 employees and/or an annual turnover of more than 50,000,000 euros and must be applied to 85% of the total energy consumption of all the installations that form part of the company’s activity. In the case of leased buildings, the lessee will be responsible for carrying out the audit if applicable.
The audit to be carried out in their company must be registered in the Administrative Register of Energy Audits, which is public and free of charge, in the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. The deadline for submitting the audit is three months from its completion. Subsequently, the Autonomous Community will establish a system of inspection of companies to monitor compliance with the obligation. The audit will be carried out every four years. In cases where an ISO system is in place, the reviews will be annual.
Failure to comply with the duty to carry out the audit, or failure to comply with the requirements or to register the audit, will result in penalties ranging from minor to very serious.
