On May 12, the Ministry of Finance issued a circular (Cai Jian〔2015〕No.161) to print and distribute the Interim Measures for the Administration of Special Subsidies for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (hereinafter referred to as the Measures). The Measures redefine the key scope of support for special subsidies for energy conservation and emission reduction, and simultaneously abolish multiple existing financial support policies including fiscal incentives for energy performance contracting and fiscal rewards for energy-saving technological transformation.

The Measures specify that the key areas eligible for special subsidies for energy conservation and emission reduction cover:Institutional and mechanism innovation for energy conservation and emission reduction;Development of basic capacity and public platforms for energy conservation and emission reduction;Comprehensive demonstration of fiscal policies for energy conservation and emission reduction;Energy conservation and emission reduction initiatives in key sectors, key industries and key regions;Demonstration, promotion, transformation and upgrading of core and critical technologies for energy conservation and emission reduction;Other matters approved by the State Council.

The Measures shall come into force on the date of issuance. The following circulars shall be abolished simultaneously:Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Fiscal Reward Funds for Energy-saving Technological Transformation (Cai Jian〔2011〕No.367);Circular of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Energy Administration on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Central Fiscal Reward Funds for Eliminating Backward Production Capacity (Cai Jian〔2011〕No.180);Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Issuing the Interim Measures for the Administration of Fiscal Subsidy Funds for Demonstration Projects of Energy Management Center Construction in Industrial Enterprises (Cai Jian〔2009〕No.647);Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission on Issuing the Interim Measures for the Administration of Fiscal Reward Funds for Energy Performance Contracting (Cai Jian〔2010〕No.249);Circular of the Ministry of Finance on Issuing the Interim Measures for the Administration of Subsidy Funds for Energy-saving Renovation of Existing Buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zones (Cai Jian〔2012〕No.148).