|
Slovak housing associations win energy efficiency excellence awards
Three Slovak housing associations from Žilina, Prešov and Dolný Kubín were declared winners of the Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards, organised by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
The purpose of the event is to acknowledge and reward the most successful energy efficiency implemented in the residential sector in 2008. The winners demonstrated commitment to implement energy-saving measures and were selected according to three categories: the highest achievement in energy savings, the most effective energy efficiency investment and the project with the highest financial return.
All three housing associations received financing for their energy efficiency initiatives through EBRD partner-banks (Dexia Banka, Slovenská Sporiteľňa, Tatra Banka and VÚB Banka) within the framework of the Slovak Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Finance Facility launched by the Bank in 2007. The purpose of the €60 million programme is to tackle Slovak Republic’s energy intensity, which is 75% higher than the average energy intensity of EU-15 countries.
Successful implementation of the programme was made possible by technical assistance grants provided by the Bohunice International Decommissioning and Support Fund. Consultants funded by the Fund helped in project screening and marketing, as well as in identifying specific energy efficiency measures and preparing the technical studies supporting the loan applications.
François Lecavalier, EBRD Director for the Slovak Republic said: “Supporting sustainable energy investments through the energy efficiency initiative is a key element of our medium term strategy for the Slovak Republic. The savings achieved by the projects implemented under this programme will contribute to the country’s overall energy efficiency targets specified in the First National Energy Efficiency Action Plan where the Slovak Republic is committing to save 9% of the final energy consumption by 2016. The Bank is aware of the importance of the initiative and is committed to pledge more funds for it in coming years”
|
