Spain

The number of dwellings in Valencia Region in 2011 was 3,147,062, with 1,993,900 main dwellings in 2018. The tenure regime shows that 75-80% of these properties are owner-occupied. The constructed area of main dwellings in 2018 was approximately 228,333,300 m², with 50% of these dwellings ranging between 75 and 105 m². The distribution of construction periods for main dwellings in 2018 is as follows: 4% (<1900), 3% (1900-1920), 4% (1921-1940), 5% (1941-1960), 10% (1951-1960), 18% (1961-1970), 26% (1971-1980), 14% (1981-1990), and 16% (>1990). This indicates a high percentage of dwellings constructed before the implementation of Spain's first energy efficiency regulations (NBE CT 79). The target type of buildings, according to the figures above (Study on the potential for energy savings and reduction of CO2 emissions in the Valencian Community – EPISCOPE (García-Prieto Ruiz et al., 2015)), are multi-family buildings or condominiums built before 1980.

In the current context, one of the main barriers to improving energy efficiency is the complexity of property structures, predominantly multi-family, which necessitates collective decision-making processes. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of renovation requirements among homeowners, as well as a lack of trust in professionals and companies in the sector. Other notable barriers in the renovation process include bureaucratic burdens and complexities in authorization and application processes, as well as difficulties in accessing loans and financial aid. Furthermore, market fragmentation in supply and a shortage of skilled workers also act as obstacles to renovation efforts in the market. Additionally, the Spanish regulatory system is designed for new construction, leading to technical regulatory barriers, as well as organizational barriers, since construction sector agents are structured around new building activities (Proposals for an organisational model based on the new version of the EPBD for the improvement of the energy efficiency of the residential building stock. (Cuchí & Arcas-Abella, 2024).

The renovation passport emerges as a resourceful tool to increase the renovation rate to the figures established in The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (PNIEC): rehabilitating the thermal envelope of 1,200,000 homes over the entire period, starting with 30,000 homes/year in 2021 and reaching 300,000 homes/year by 2030. Additionally, it aims to renovate thermal installations (both centralized and individual) in more than 300,000 homes/year. The Long-Term Strategy for Energy Rehabilitation in the Building Sector in Spain (ERESEE) sets a cumulative energy consumption savings target of 37.3% by 2050 compared to 2020 consumption, and an emission reduction target of 98.8% compared to 2020. To achieve these ambitious goals, the Spanish regulatory framework must adopt effective tools and resources, as well as regulatory measures in order to increase the renovation rate. In line with the recent EPBD recast, specifically its Article 12, Member States must introduce the renovation passport scheme by May 2026. The renovation passport proposed by OneClickRENO, in this context, is established as a tool to facilitate and guide users in decision-making, proposing a renovation in the maximum number of steps, with the ultimate goal of achieving a Zero Emission building (ZEB). Through the passport, it addresses identified barriers in the Spanish pilot: enhances benefits from renovation best practices, designs standard protocols to be followed at the regional level, collects the necessary data to better design future renovation strategies, and creates more effective aids supporting energy renovation. It empowers property administrators, eases dialogue, and helps private owners identify grants or develop a financial and technical long-term plan. The passports will act as an awareness tool for homeowners. They will receive a preliminary but personalized BRP with simpler, user-friendly data collection. The BRP proposes a renovation roadmap that will transform current single-step, very costly and disruptive renovation initiatives, into interventions that can achieve ambitious long-term goals. Users will be able to obtain a complete picture throughout the life of the building, highlighting the benefits of each adopted measure, not limited to energy efficiency but including information about comfort, well-being, return on investment, among others. Additionally, it will be a tool that helps professionals who can use the passport generator module to obtain a first draft of a renovation itinerary, which they can modify and adapt more specifically to the situation of the dwelling or building. Financial institutions will be able to assess renovation risks and improve their product offerings, combining them (or not) with public grants and subsidies. It will also be useful for public authorities, as it will serve as an official massive data source, helping in the design of renovation incentives and energy efficiency policies, as well as simulating scenarios foreseeing its implementation, assessing the renovation market, and residential stock in their areas.