07.12.2023.
30 contracts for the energy renovation of public buildings have been presented at the National and University Library in Zagreb today. The contract award ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, deputy Prime Minister and minister Branko Bačić, minister Davor Filipović, and director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund Luka Balen, accompanied by his deputy Mirko Budiša.The 30 contracts worth in total EUR 73.8 million, of which EUR 36.44 million is grant funding, were concluded for the energy renovation of hospitals, clinics, schools, and other general purpose public buildings. The Energy Efficiency Sector of the Fund provided technical support to applicants, and the Fund’s Intermediate Body will control further implementation of contracted projects.
Prime Minister Plenković expressed his appreciation for the well-prepared projects, adding that there was serious competition for the public call worth 74 million euros, half of which were grants from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. He also stressed that EU funds were a massive lever for investments related not only to post-earthquake reconstruction, but also to the energy efficiency of buildings. "The key message is that energy renovated buildings not only save more, but are worth more", said the Prime Minister, adding that was a long-term investment in one of the four fundamental directions of the Government's policy including digital transition, demographic revitalization, decarbonisation, and investment in education.
Deputy Prime Minister and minister Branko Bačić presented the entire allocation dedicated to energy renovation of buildings in both the private and public sector. He pointed out that the energy renovation of buildings was one of the key preconditions for achieving the goals of Croatia’s energy self-sufficiency and reducing the consumption of energy generated from hydrocarbons, which was conducive to the goals of climate preservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions defined in the projects Green Croatia and Green Europe. Under this project, in May the Ministry announced a public call for energy renovation of public sector buildings and funds were provided for 32 projects worth in total EUR 74 million.
"Due to the extremely high interest in energy renovation in general, including energy renovation of public sector buildings, as part of the proposal of an addendum to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to maintain existing reforms, the plan is to continue with initiated investments in energy renovation of public sector buildings undamaged by the quakes. An additional allocation in the amount of EUR 60.18 million is planned for this, and it envisages co-financing of additional successful project proposals under the Call for which contracts were awarded today," said vice-president of the Government Bačić.
Minister of economy and sustainable development Davor Filipović pointed out that over 400 public buildings have already been renovated under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion and that this cycle would continue. He also referred to the plans of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development that were compatible with investment in energy efficiency, especially in the part related to the use of renewable energy sources. "The government is helping Croatian citizens to become energy independent with so far unprecedented funds. A call of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is underway with 12.5 million euros available to citizens for the installation of photovoltaics, and soon the conditions will be announced for 120 million euros-worth of incentives for the energy renovation of family houses," said minister Filipović and announced the upcoming allocation of funds from the Modernisation Fund for 166 companies.
"All of these are processes that ultimately lead to more energy production on our own, Croatian soil, making us safer and more resilient to disruptions, while at the same time using renewable, clean energy sources and keeping Croatia clean," concluded minister Filipović.
