Kyrgyz Republic makes a big step towards energy efficient buildings thanks to new legislation, developed with assistance from the EBRD.
The Kyrgyz Republic government approved two new regulations with a Government Decree on 2 August 2012. The new regulations introduce a set of instruments facilitating energy efficiency of all types of buildings. The new regulations provide procedures implementing the Law on “Energy Performance of Buildings”. The Law was approved by the Kyrgyz Republic parliament in June 2011 and has been in force since 6 February 2012.
Preparation of the new set of primary and secondary legislation has been supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) through policy dialogue maintained since 2009. This first phase of policy dialogue was supported by the EBRD Special Shareholder Fund.
The new legislation follows the EU best experience, specifically the EU Building Directive. The new legislation adopts the Directive at the level currently realised in EU countries.
The Law defines the overall legal framework including the definition of legal responsibilities and the instruments to foster energy efficiency in buildings. The secondary legislation provides detailed procedures for implementation and introduces minimum and mandatory energy efficiency requirements, methodology for energy performance assessment, energy performance certification of buildings and regular inspection of heating systems. Energy certification and regular inspections are to be implemented by independent accredited professionals. The new legislation provides accreditation procedures for professionals and introduces new types of commercial services related to energy efficiency in buildings.
During approval of the new legislation, the Kyrgyz Republic authorities requested further support on the harmonisation of existing technical standards to the new primary and secondary legislation as well as assistance with capacity building and the provision of tools for implementation. These works are currently in progress with support received from the Slovak Trust fund at the EBRD.
Mr. Kanybek Narbaev, head of the The State Agency on Architecture and Regional Development under the Government of Kyrgyz Republic (Gosstroy Regional Development), says: “With the adoption of this new legislation, Kyrgyz Republic becomes a pioneer in the post-Soviet era with legislation that is fully compliant with best international experience. We are proud that with the help of the EBRD, Kyrgyz Republic has developed its own progressive legislation framework on the energy performance of buildings”.
Larisa Manastirli, head of the EBRD office in Bishkek, says: “The Bank is keen to assist the low-carbon transition of the Kyrgyz Republic building sector by policy dialogue as well as by investments. Currently the Kyrgyz Republic Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (KyrSEFF) of US$ 20 million is under development. KyrSEFF will provide financing to our partners, local banks and micro-financing institutions, for on-lending to Kyrgyz Republic residents and corporates for the energy efficiency of buildings, SMEs and industries. The KyrSEFF will be supported by Donor-funded technical assistance and investment incentives.”
Terry McCallion, Director of the EBRD Energy Efficiency and Climate Change team, says: “The building sector provides the largest sustainable energy and resource efficiency opportunities in the region. Building sustainability remains as one of the key priority areas under the EBRD’s Sustainable Energy Initiative. The Bank has adopted an integrated approach including development of financing mechanisms, provision of technical assistance and policy dialogue We maintain the policy dialogue on building energy efficiency in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia, where we hope to replicate the success of Kyrgyzstan.”
