Belgrade, November 9, 2023 – The application of energy efficiency enhancement measures in 25 central government buildings in Belgrade will help drive down energy consumption by 30%, which equals savings close to energy consumption for buildings and public lighting in a town with a population of 40,000. Moreover, the application of these defined energy efficiency measures would also reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 20%, i.e., 5,174 metric tonnes annually. The specific measures to bring about these results were defined following detailed energy audits undertaken collaboratively between the Ministry of Mining and Energy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Administration for Joint Services of the Republic Bodies (UZZPRO), and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB).

An optimum set of measures for energy rehabilitation and renewable energy source utilisation was defined for these 25 buildings, aiming to ensure the best cost-to-benefit ratio. Some of the proposed measures involve constructing photovoltaic systems, installing heat pumps, replacing split air conditioning systems with central HVAC, insulating the walls and roofs, replacing doors and windows, replacing existing lighting fixtures with their energy-efficient counterparts, and automating the lighting systems. All of these measures will bring about a reduction in the capacity required to heat and cool these buildings.

In addition to energy savings and the reduction in emissions of harmful gases, energy rehabilitation will also contribute to improvements in working conditions and safety at work, as well as the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, considering most of these buildings are under protection.

Design and technical documents are currently being developed for five central government buildings:

1. Directorate for Measures and Precious Metals, Mike Alasa 14, Belgrade;

2. Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, Kralja Milana 36, Belgrade;

3. Institute for Improvement of Education, Draže Pavlovića 15, Belgrade;

4. National Property Directorate, Gračanička 8a, Belgrade; and

5. Intellectual Property Office, Kneginje Ljubice 5, Belgrade.

This will be followed by advertising a public call for the energy rehabilitation works.

On top of the above-mentioned 25 central government buildings, additional geological surveys were conducted on two more buildings, the Palace of Serbia and SIV 3, confirming the geothermal potential for heating and cooling these two buildings. A detailed energy audit is currently being undertaken on the SIV 3 building and is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. Moreover, plans are in the works to commence a detailed energy audit and feasibility study development for the Palace of Serbia building in December this year.

All of the above are preparatory activities for the implementation of the $40 million-worth ‘Energy Efficiency in Central Government Buildings’ programme, covering 27 central government buildings in total. These activities were enabled owing to financial support from the West Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and the Council of Europe Development Bank Creditor Fund/Governing Board contributed by the Slovak Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.