Pančevo General Hospital has reduced energy consumption by almost 40%

The Pančevo General Hospital has reduced gas and electricity consumption by 39% with an energy efficiency project funded by USAID.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided USD 230,000 for the renovation of all six substations for heating and sanitary hot water in the General Hospital in Pančevo.

Another project funded by USAID was the installation of 200 solar panels with a total capacity of 350 kW on the boiler room in Kotež to reduce gas consumption and heating and sanitary hot water expenses.

Zorana Mihajlović, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Mining and Energy said during a visit to Pančevo and Kotež that the use of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity and heat will contribute to better heating, savings and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

USD 230,000 was invested in the hospital

The two projects in Pančevo solved problems, especially in the hospital, and the people here recognize this, said Mihajlović.

She said USD 230,000 was invested in the reconstruction of the General Hospital, which was the regional hospital for COVID-19, and that the multi-decade heating problem was solved. Savings of about 39% in gas and electricity consumption were achieved, along with financial savings and a significant reduction in emissions, she added.

Mihajlović said Pančevo should be an example to other cities for the use of renewable energy sources. She noted the ministry is preparing a project for the use of renewables in district heating systems in 11 cities and municipalities, worth more than EUR 40 million. Among them is Pančevo, where the use of geothermal energy is being considered, she added.

United States Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said he is proud USAID is part of the team which is solving the energy problems faced by all countries.

There is no more important issue today than energy, he said.

A strategic agreement between the two countries is being prepared

Mihajlović and Hill also said that Serbia and the US are preparing strategic agreements on energy that would create conditions for more investments.

“We are working on harmonizing a strategic agreement in order to build new energy facilities and introduce new technologies,” said Mihajlović, while Ambassador Hill pointed out that the US wants a strategic approach and that it is close to an agreement with Serbia.

Hill also said natural gas “would be with us for many years to come” and that, although it is expensive now, it is a good fuel.