On Friday, December 15, 2017, EcoAlbania gathered representatives of construction businesses, the association of builders, representatives of central and local government, as well as experts in the field at the discussion table on the topic “Energy efficiency in buildings”. During the meeting, the new laws on energy efficiency and performance, the energy certification of buildings, the improvement of consumer infrastructure, as well as the facilities that construction companies will have from the implementation of this legislation were discussed.
Some of the data from the study on “Energy Poverty” for the city of Tirana, conducted by EcoAlbania and the EDEN Center, were also presented. The attention of the participants was drawn by the data showing that the largest share of expenses in Tirana families is occupied by water heating. Regarding these figures, experts and representatives of construction businesses proposed some interventions that can be implemented in existing buildings to make the water heating system more efficient.
Gjergji Simaku, Director at the Directorate of Energy and Industry Development Policy and Strategy, in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, explained the new laws “On energy efficiency” and “On energy performance of buildings”. He stopped at the steps that must be followed by the builders to be equipped with the PEN certificate (energy certificate). Asked by those present, Mr. Simaku said: “Certification of buildings will be done by energy auditors who will be licensed by the ministry responsible for energy. The certificate is intended to guide the consumer on the level of energy efficiency of the building he will buy. This certificate will also make a difference in the price of the building.”
Financing opportunities and economic incentives for businesses working in the construction and reconstruction sector to make buildings more energy efficient were addressed by Mr. Erjon Tase, Executive Director at the Academy of Political Studies. He listed the possibilities of economic relief from the programs implemented by the Municipalities, he spoke about ESCOs (companies that provide services in the energy sector) and auditing companies as a profitable sector. On the other hand, “The National Fund for Energy Efficiency is a tool that can be used by businesses working in the construction field to find financing opportunities. The fund is not yet operational due to delays in the approval of by-laws.” – he said.
Business representatives presented proposals for the improvement of by-laws, the establishment of norms and measures aimed at improving the infrastructure of consumers and facilitating the work of builders. The recommendations given have been collected by the representatives of the central government to be considered.
This meeting is organized by EcoAlbania within the project “Together – an eye for the environment” and is financially supported by the Swedish Embassy through the SENIOR-II program implemented by the Regional Center for the Environment – REC Albania.
This meeting is organized by EcoAlbania within the project “Together – an eye for the environment” and is financially supported by the Swedish Embassy through the SENiOR-II program implemented by the Regional Center for the Environment – REC Albania.
