The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are stepping up support for Bosnia and Herzegovina by providing a 6 million euros financial package to help it improve the energy efficiency of its public buildings.
The package includes a 4.5 million euros EBRD loan and a one million euro investment grant from the EU and will finance energy efficiency measures in 20 public buildings in Republika Srpska, including 16 schools and 3 hospitals. In addition, the EU is providing a 500,000 euros technical assistance grant for project implementation.
“We are extremely happy to see this project signed, not only because it is aimed at improving energy efficiency in schools and hospitals, but also because this is a novel business model that will see public buildings contributing to loan repayment from achieved energy savings,” said Manuela Naessl, EBRD Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The energy measures will include thermal insulation, new windows, upgraded heating, ventilation and cooling systems and energy-efficient lighting. Once these improvements have been made, managers will be appointed to monitor the energy consumption and performance of each building. The improvements are expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 90 per cent, heat consumption by around 80 per cent and electricity consumption by 63 per cent.
