Sweden provides EUR 4 million for energy efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Government of Sweden is providing EUR 4 million for the continuation of the Green Economic Development project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming to reduce CO2 by 3,900 tons annually and to save the country over BAM 1 million (EUR 500.000) in energy cost.

Focusing on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden will help the country to reduce the environmental impact of excessive energy use and to promote a switch to cleaner energy in public sector by retrofitting 54 buildings, the press release reads.

Buildings are big energy consumers – this sector is responsible for 55 percent of all energy consumption in Bosnia and Herzegovina and some 85 percent of this energy is used for heating. Accordingly, associated energy expenditures fill the major portion of the public budget.

With this project, energy savings on public buildings are to be achieved by installing thermal insulation, new joinery, biomass boilers, high-efficient pumps, thermostatic valves and solar panels, according to the press release.  LED lighting will be installed in order to minimize street public lighting costs.

With investments in energy retrofits and renewable energy, this project is expected to contribute to the health hazard reduction and to cut down negative effects of air pollution generated by fuels such as coal, charcoal, wood.

“The Government of Sweden is eager to support Bosnia and Herzegovina to reduce carbon emissions by helping governments at all levels to embrace energy efficiency as it has economic, social and ecological benefits to its citizens. Steps that the authorities undertake today will impact the country’s carbon emissions for the next decades”, said Marie Bergstrom, Head of Swedish Development Cooperation.

The implementation of energy efficiency measures is also expected to contribute to the economic and social development of the country by helping the building industry to grow, increasing the skills of construction workers to deal with energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, improved indoor conditions for beneficiaries. It will also provide over 400 jobs.

Expected to be completed by 2020, the project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Green economy and sustainable development are key pillars of Agenda 2030.  “By promoting renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency of public buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina we are reducing not only C02, which cause climate change but also air pollution, which causes severe health problems,” said Sezin Sinanoglu, UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.