The EBRD is facilitating energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings such as schools.
Children attending the nursery school in the village of Výčapy-Opatovce in the Slovak Republic are learning in cosier classrooms now that their school building has been refurbished.
The project was completed in the summer of 2012, and was carried out as part of the EU/EBRD Municipal Financing Facility, which supports energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings such as schools.
Updating the building
The building dates back to the 1980s. Following an environmental audit, work was carried out to improve its energy efficiency. New doors and windows were installed, the walls were insulated, the roof was replaced and the heating system was adjusted. The work means the school’s energy usage should be cut by around 40 per cent.
Financing
Around 70 young children attend the kindergarten, and in an area where winters can be harsh, the benefits of a warm, dry school are obvious. The cost of the work was around €320,000 and it was financed by a loan made by the EBRD to a local bank – Slovenská Sporiteľňa – which then provided financing to the local municipality. In addition, the European Union provided a grant to finance technical assistance and encourage the introduction of energy-efficient measures.
The benefits
This project will make the school a more pleasant and healthier environment for its young pupils. In addition, energy costs will be reduced and there are even safety benefits. The old windows were in such a bad state that opening them could be quite risky.
This is just one of a range of schemes which the EBRD has supported in the Slovak Republic, under its Sustainable Energy Financing Facilities. The total loan amounts to around €190 million and the projects include schools, a town hall building and a district heating system.
