Record subsidies for insulation, but who will do it all?
The new NZÚ Light programme will again support insulation. However, the question remains whether we have enough companies to do the work. After a temporary suspension due to funding running out, the National Environment Fund has announced that it will relaunch the programme on 25 June with a new £3 billion. The programme will focus mainly on the insulation of houses, a key step towards energy savings that cannot be replaced by other measures such as the installation of alternative energy sources.
The subsidy for insulation under NZÚ Light will be increased by CZK 100,000 to a total of CZK 250,000. This amount will enable the complete insulation of the entire house, including the skirting and roof, with the help of the owner. Those who have previously purchased new windows and doors with the grant can now concentrate on insulation, which is likely to increase demand for the programme, and the funding should last until around autumn. The problem, however, is that while the state provides money for building improvements, it does not address who will do them.
Many people will have to find a company to do the insulation because they cannot do it themselves. In this case, however, the 250 000 from the subsidy may not be enough because of the lack of capacity of construction companies, which has been a problem for a long time. Even if applicants will not look at the cost, the question remains how long they will have to wait before a firm becomes available.
At the beginning of 2023, there was a shortage of 400,000 craftsmen on the Czech market, compared to 300,000 three years ago. Of these, 100 thousand are missing in the construction sector. An analysis by CEEC Research at the end of 2022 revealed that 92% of construction companies report a shortage of employees.
The new surge in demand after 25 June is likely to make the situation even worse. Firms are likely to focus on insulation, which until now has accounted for only about 20% of their work, but new workers will not be easy to find. Although the subsidy programmes are successful and necessary, the focus must now also be on supporting the actual implementation of construction measures.
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