Improvement of energy efficiency in public buildings
About this good practice
Investments reducing energy consumption, fossil fuels use and CO2 emissions in public buildings in Crete.
Public buildings in Crete have high energy consumption per unit area. In order to achieve the EU target for carbon neutrality by 2050 buildings should increase their energy efficiency. This good practice complies with the objectives of ZEROCO2 project and its activities. It was implemented with the support of Energy Managing Authority of Crete in the framework of the Regional Operational Program of Crete, 2013-2020. The main beneficiaries of this good practice in Crete were the local prefectures and municipalities in the island. The main stakeholders were also the local public authorities as well as the engineers and the energy companies who design and manufacture the sustainable energy systems.
Following a public competition 30 proposals were submitted and 12 among them were approved (with total budget at 12 mil. Euros). These 12 approved proposals are related with various types of public buildings in Crete. These buildings were:
- Athletic centre of Tavronitis, municipality of Platanias,
- Municipal building in Platanias,
- Municipal building in Rethymno,
- Building of the regional authorities in Rethymno,
- Secondary school in Rethymno
- Secondary school in Platanias and Alikianos
- Secondary school in Ag. Varvara
- Secondary school in Souda
- Secondary school in Amperia
- Secondary school in Koumpe
- Primary school in Archanes
- Secondary school in Kandanos
Resources needed
The financial resources used in this good practice were 12 mil. Euros. The human resources – on behalf of the Managing Authority of Crete - to set up and run this good practice are estimated equivalent to 3 years full time work of an energy expert and his secretarial support.
Evidence of success
This practice:
- Improves the energy behaviour of public buildings reducing their carbon emissions due to energy use,
- The building stock of the public sector in Crete has poor energy performance,
- It can be easily transferred in other regions since public buildings in other regions require also energy renovation,
- EU policies prioritize energy renovation of public buildings compared to private buildings, and
- The required energy technologies are mature, reliable and cost-effective.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice identified in the region of Crete could be interesting for other regions to learn from for various reasons including:
- Public buildings in many EU territories have poor energy performance,
- The benign energy technologies that can be used improving their energy behaviour are mature, reliable, well-known and cost-effective,
- Buildings in EU consume large amounts of energy and emit large quantities of carbon,
- In many EU countries local and regional authorities have not the available financial resources to finance the energy renovation of public buildings. The use of EU structural funds offers a good opportunity to finance the energy rehabilitation of some public buildings in their territories,
- Public private partnership (PPP) through ESCOs can also achieve energy renovation of public buildings. However, in many EU countries, including in Greece, this financial mechanism is not operating properly so far while energy saving companies are not well developed.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.