Client
Multinational chemical manufacturer operating energy-intensive industrial sites in Spain.

Challenge
Rising energy costs and accelerating EU ETS and 2030 decarbonization commitments, combined with strict internal payback requirements that prevented approval of non-core energy-efficiency projects.

Focus
The barrier was not technical feasibility, but value capture. Spain's Energy Efficiency Certificate (CAE) scheme was underutilized, leaving viable projects financially uncompetitive.

Context

A multinational chemical company operating energy-intensive industrial sites across Spain faced mounting pressure from two directions:

Sharply rising energy costs in a volatile national market, and accelerating decarbonization requirements under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and internal 2030 climate targets.

Although the company had strong ambition, progress on energy-efficiency initiatives repeatedly stalled. Projects not directly tied to core production were required to meet a strict three-year payback threshold. As a result, many technically robust measures, capable of delivering significant emissions reductions and long-term cost savings, failed to secure internal approval.

The Insight

GO2 Markets identified financial feasibility as the primary constraint. Unlocking alternative financing mechanisms was essential to shortening return-on-investment timelines and enabling decision-making.

In Spain, the Energy Efficiency Certificate (CAE) scheme offered a powerful but underutilized lever. When integrated into project design, CAEs improved profitability by 30 to 100%, transforming previously rejected proposals into viable investments.

By combining technical expertise with a broad energy-sector network, GO2 Markets reframed the client's project pipeline around initiatives that aligned climate impact with financial performance.

The Intervention

GO2 Markets partnered with the client to unlock value across multiple workstreams.

Monetization of Existing Initiatives

A detailed review of historic, ongoing, and planned energy-efficiency measures was conducted to identify all CAE-eligible actions. GO2 Markets structured competitive CAE pricing and supported the preparation of the required technical and administrative documentation.

On-Site Opportunity Mapping

Facility-level assessments identified high-impact, low-disruption efficiency measures, including compressor heat recovery and boiler replacement. Initiatives were prioritized based on energy savings, operational compatibility, and CAE eligibility.

Decision-Making Shift

This integrated approach fundamentally changed how energy-efficiency projects were evaluated internally. Initiatives previously treated as cost centers were repositioned as investable assets, supported by verified savings and predictable revenue streams.

Beyond individual approvals, the engagement enabled a broader shift in decision-making, allowing faster approvals, clearer prioritization, and supporting the development of a long-term energy-efficiency investment roadmap.

The Evidence of Impact

• CAE monetization reduced net project costs by approximately 50% on average and reduced project payback by 1 to 2 years.

• Certified savings strengthened the company's EU ETS position and enabled transparent tracking toward 2030 decarbonization targets.

  
  

Why This Matters

For industrial players, decarbonization often fails not because of limited ambition, but because economics and regulation are treated as separate domains. This case demonstrates how market mechanisms can bridge that gap, turning regulatory pressure into financial and competitive momentum and enabling emissions reduction at scale without operational disruption.