The energy efficiency project in public buildings in Vojvodina is progressing at a satisfactory pace, so far a pilot study has been conducted on 80 out of 3,000 objects and the results show that the savings from the implementation of these projects would be about 60 percent compared to the current costs of heating and lighting those facilities, costs that are paid from the budget – said Djordje Milicevic, Deputy Prime Minister of Vojvodina. He added that, in addition to saving, it also means reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as these heating facilities mainly use coal and fuel oil.
During a meeting with Zuzan Hargitai, Regional Director for the Western Balkans of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Milicevic recalled that the bank provided a grant of 100,000 euros for the development of a pilot project on the energy efficiency of public buildings in Vojvodina.
– The good news is that in 2020 we can offer a loan arrangement for the implementation of the first phase of the work, as well as a grant of 500,000 euros. These investments will save energy and money in the province’s budget, Zuzan Hargitai said on the occasion. This work should take place in the coming years and also require large financial resources.
Professor at the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade, Ljubodrag Savic, points out that it is very good news that the pilot project in Vojvodina has shown in practice the importance of increasing energy efficiency in buildings, writes Danas.
– This is certainly a step forward in the process of combating the great energy inefficiency that exists in our country. However, this should not be stopped, but it should also focus on implementing similar projects throughout Serbia with the same objective. In order to achieve this, the Government of Serbia must be more involved in solving this problem and devise ways to animate citizens to replace woodwork and windows in their homes in order to increase energy efficiency – says our interlocutor. He recalls that the Government of Serbia had previously offered lower interest rates for energy efficiency loans in cooperation with some banks.
– Despite the fact that these loans were down by 20 to 30 percent, the cost was still very high, and many households did not opt ​​for them. Therefore, it is very good that the authorities in Serbia are oriented towards cooperation with the EBRD and other banks when it comes to increasing energy efficiency in our country. The assistance of all EU institutions should be used, but it is of use to say that it is not enough. In order to raise the level of energy efficiency in Serbia, considerable financial resources are needed as a form of assistance that would motivate citizens to replace woodwork and windows in their apartments. Therefore, the state must seriously consider how to provide these funds and offer them as subsidies for increasing energy efficiency in buildings – Savic says for Danas.
