On November 27, the Institute for European Affairs organized a panel discussion in Kragujevac titled “Warmer apartments, lower bills – Energy renovation in Kragujevac”. The aim of the panel discussion was to answer questions about the most effective strategic models for alleviating energy poverty and improving energy efficiency and air quality in Kragujevac.
The panel discussion was also attended by programme director of RES Foundation, Aleksandar Macura. He emphasized that changing technical standards is one of the most effective solutions for increasing energy efficiency. The new standards will contribute to increasing the quality and efficiency of tens of thousands of devices annually. However, as standards bring higher costs, a social policy is needed that will ensure that order, and a minimum level of quality that is civilized, affordable for citizens and sustainable.
As another important tool, he mentioned ESCO models – that is, the involvement of a third party in the financing and realization of energy projects, while the users repay the investments through achieved savings, with guaranteed results. It is crucial that expert teams assess the situation, propose solutions and implement projects.
The discussion was part of the project Industrialization, Environment and the European Future of Serbia supported by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Belgrade, and the views of the speakers presented at the debate do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute for European Affairs or HBS Belgrade.
