Decisions on energy renovation of public sector buildings | Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund

27.02.2025.

95 decisions on financing the energy renovation of public sector buildings worth in total more than EUR 71 million were awarded today at the National and University Library. EU funds for the implementation of these projects were provided under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan; the event was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of physical planning, construction and state assets, Branko Bačić, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of interior, Davor Božinović, minister of health, Irena Hrstić, and the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen.

"Buildings renovated to become more energy efficient save more and are consequently worth more, they have better mechanical resistance and stability, are safer in the event of fire, and by ensuring healthy indoor conditions, after renovation buildings become healthier, safer and more comfortable to live in and work," said Prime Minister Plenković, pointing out that the finances for the Call for energy renovation of public sector buildings published by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets were increased to almost 200 million euros. “The 95 decisions presented today, worth 71 million euros, refer to the energy renovation of facilities for health and education purposes that were not damaged in the earthquake. In this way, we will achieve an integrated, thorough and comprehensive renovation of public sector buildings and achieve savings that are necessary in terms of heating and primary energy," said Plenković, adding that thus Croatia was also achieving the global goals of sustainable development, in which Croatia ranks in the high 8th place out of 167 countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and minister of physical planning, construction and state assets Branko Bačić reminded that the European Commission and Croatia have envisaged through strategic documents to reduce by 2030 greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990, while the goal by 2050 is to make Europe - Croatia included - climate neutral. To achieve the planned goals, the Government has earmarked, among other things, three billion euros to renovate about three million square meters in buildings. "With today's, and previous, decisions on financing energy renovation of public sector buildings, a total of 266 buildings in Croatia will be renovated, which will save about 70% of energy compared to before their energy renovation. In addition, the average annual primary energy savings will be up to 90 percent," said Bačić, pointing out that so far, 849 public sector buildings had already been renovated with EU funds, including 380 schools, 95 kindergartens, and 90 health and social care buildings throughout the country.

The director of the Fund said that these projects showed the continuity of the government's policy and all its line institutions to make our educational, sports, health, and other public institutions a pleasant environment for all their users, while meeting high energy efficiency standards. "In addition to public buildings, the renovation of numerous apartment buildings and family houses is also co-financed, for which a record 120 million euros were provided through the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund last year alone. Investing in energy renovation of buildings brings many benefits, as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have already emphasised, and I would also like to point out that staff both at the Fund and the Ministry are always at disposal to users to help them successfully implement their projects," concluded Balen.