USAID Serbia Energy Efficiency project launched

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Brock Bierman has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the mayors of Niš, Čačak, and Pančevo for a new effort to help these Serbian cities’ district heating plants become more energy efficient.

The USAID Serbia Energy Efficiency project is a two-year, USD 2.1 million activity intended to reduce gas fuel consumption and dependency on imported fuel through improved energy efficiency in heating at the local level, according to press releases from USAID and the City of Niš.

The USAID Serbia Energy Efficiency project is a two-year, USD 2.1 million activity

The MoUs were signed by Niš Mayor Darko Bulatović, Pančevo Mayor Saša Pavlov, and Čačak Deputy Mayor Milica Dačić.

USAID and the municipalities will work on designing, procuring, and installing computer systems for gathering and analyzing data to more efficiently control operations within a district heating system. Other investments may include equipment upgrades, such as replacing gas burners with more efficient models, and expanding the use of renewable energy to heat water for domestic use.

Other investments may include equipment upgrades, such as replacing gas burners with more efficient models, and expanding the use of renewable energy to heat water for domestic use

“Making Serbia’s district heating plants more efficient are key to ensuring that Serbian citizens have access to reliable, affordable heating on an ongoing basis,” said Bierman.

“The framework agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the U.S. Government enabled us to sign this memorandum today,” said Bulatović.

The goal is to reduce gas fuel consumption and dependency on imported fuel through improved energy efficiency in heating at the local level

Pančevo Mayor Saša Pavlov said that energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources are Pančevo’s strategic goals.

Čačak Deputy Mayor Milica Dačić said that the city is seeking to raise citizens’ environmental awareness with projects such as the one implemented with USAID, adding that the city hopes it will be covered by the second phase of USAID’s project as well.