According to the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (2019), 97%
of Europe’s existing building stock is inefficient. Approximately 36%
CO2 emissions and 40% of energy consumption originated by Buildings
sector in Europe.
Energy demand in the building sector represents a big challenge for
Serbia as well. More than 50% of the whole building stock in Serbia is
older than 50 years. It is estimated that the building sector consumes
about 34% of the total final energy, of which the residential sector
used about 70%, commercial buildings 18% and public buildings 12%.The
highest potential for energy savings is estimated in the public
buildings 35–40%.
The City of Belgrade as the capital of Serbia with most inhabitants, the biggest housing stock and the highest concentration of public buildings, suffers the most from low energy efficiency performance of the buildings. Although there are a large number of buildings with high energy consumption in Belgrade, there is a possibility to reduce it by investing in renovation of such buildings. The City of Belgrade is committed to addressing urban environmental challenges in a systematic way. The City joined two important regional environmental initiatives, namely the Covenant of Mayors and the EBRD’s Green Cities Programme. The EU supports this efforts of the City.
Moreover, with IPA grant funds, the EU is supporting renovation of public buildings in Belgrade which has significant energy losses and great potential for much better energy performance. The EU and EBRD joined forces to support the city of Belgrade in renovation of four buildings in Belgrade. EU is providing 11 million euro grant funds while EBRD provides a 5 million euro loan to the City of Belgrade to improve energy performance of the following buildings:
-The City Library Location: corner of the streets Zmaj Jovina Street and Obilićev Venac, Belgrade Year of construction: 1922. Total area: 2 950 m2. Current energy class: E, G. After the renovation, the City Library will gain: Final energy savings of 86%; Primary energy savings of 32% CO2 emissions savings of 60%; Energy class: C, D
-The Student Healthcare Centre Location: Krunska 59, Belgrade Year of construction: 1923/24. Total building area: 2 858 m2. Current energy class D After the renovation, the Student Healthcare Centre will gain: Final energy savings of 79% ; Primary energy savings of 60%; CO2 emissions savings of 74%; Energy class: B
-The Student Hospital Location: Prote Mateje 29, Belgrade Year of construction: early 20th century. Total building area: 2 539 m2. Current energy class C. After the renovation, the Student Hospital will gain: Final energy savings of 46% ; Primary energy savings of 40%; CO2 emissions savings of 41%; Energy class: A
-The City of Belgrade Emergency Medical Institute Location: Franše d'Eperea 5, Belgrade Year of construction: 1957. Total building area: 3 624 m2. Current energy class C. Emergency Medical Institute consists of three blocks: - Block A - garage with technical utilities (currently not heated) - Block B - Infirmary, call centre, administration - Block C - workshops, restaurant, administration. After the renovation, the City of Belgrade Emergency Medical Institute will gain: Final energy savings of 49% ; Primary energy savings of 16% ; CO2 emissions savings of 30% ; Energy class: B
Detailed project information (Fact sheet), updated in March 2024:
https://europa.rs/reconstruction-of-the-belgrade-emergency-medical-institute/?lang=en
https://europa.rs/beogradska-hitna-pomoc-uskoro-rekonstruisana-i-energetski-efikasna/?lang=en
In addition to the renovation of the buildings, this project aims to support the City of Belgrade and relevant line secretariats, in establishing sustainable financing mechanism for further renovation of the residential and non-residential buildings in Belgrade. Such technical support provides capacity buildings for the City administration, expertise on funding mechanisms and planning of the future investments, share of experience and knowledge with EU member states and awareness raising campaigns to promote the benefits of energy efficiency to the environment and economy.