Ljubljana to refurbish public building supported by private partners

The City of Ljubljana agreed a public-private partnership (PPP) with a consortium comprising GGE d.o.o. and Petrol d.d. for the energy retrofitting of public buildings in the municipality. In the largest deal of its kind so far in Slovenia in the field of energy services, 49 buildings will be totally or partially refurbished by the end of the year.

The investment is worth EUR 14.9 million in total, said GGE, based in the country’s capital. The private consortium will conduct comprehensive retrofitting in 26 buildings and partial works including individual efficiency improvements in others.

Educational and international aspects

Mayor Zoran Janković said Ljubljana is already a role model to many world cities in sustainable development. He revealed savings will be used to repay partners during a 15-year period and allocated to the beneficiaries of the new programme. “This will serve as an additional motivation for our kindergartens, schools, health centres, sport facilities and their employees, to educate the young about the importance of smart and efficient energy use,” he added. The project includes cultural and administrative institutions.

Luka Komazec, chief executive of GGE, said the ambitious endeavor will serve as a reference for work throughout Southeastern Europe. “The project, in addition to improving energy efficiency and savings, will also have a positive impact on the lives of citizens and will certainly strongly support the efforts of the City of Ljubljana to remain seen as a Green Capital. Finally, it will have a significant effect on the local economy as its implementation will involve around 100 contractors,” he stated and added the undertaking is defined by “three Es: ecology, economy and education.”

Annual energy savings of 8.25 GWh

Buildings will have HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems renovated and interior lighting will be overhauled with energy efficient equipment. The heating systems will exploit renewable energy sources, the press release said. Windows and doors will be replaced and the facilities will get new façades, while roofs will be insulated. The companies promised 8.25 GWh of energy savings per annum, in addition to almost 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions they will cut each year.

GGE and Petrol will also provide management and maintenance of the equipment and systems installed for the duration of the contract. The consortium is providing 50.1% of the funding, and the rest is provided by the European Union’s Cohesion Fund and the city.

GGE has recently signed a PPP contract for the heat energy supply with the city of Pirot in Serbia, which is the first contract of this kind in the country.