Background

In order to reduce energy intensity and CO2 emission, the government of Serbia’s strategic documents on the development of the energy sector define Energy Efficiency (EE) as one of the top priorities in Serbia. In this context, the national Law on Efficient Use of Energy is the cornerstone of Serbian Energy Efficiency regulation. The main objective of this Law is to establish various mechanisms necessary for the implementation of EE policy and the achievement of goals set up in National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP). The law further reinforces the municipalities’ responsibility in the realm of energy efficiency and encourages a responsible attitude towards energy consumption.

Vision

The Serbian Law on Efficient Use of Energy sets the obligation for all municipalities with a population above 20,000 inhabitants to establish a municipal energy management system and elaborate an Energy Efficiency Programme. In this context, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is supporting the Ministry of Mining and Energy (MoME) and four Serbian municipalities through the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Management Project (MEEMP) in strengthening their municipal energy management system through an all-inclusive approach.
The overall objective of MEEMP is to improve the municipal energy management and the energy efficiency of public buildings in the four selected municipalities of Krusevac, Uzice, Paracin and Vrbas, and to introduce renewable energy sources. By demonstrating the feasibility and profitability of a high level of energy and climate performance on local level, the four pilot municipalities concurrently act as role model to further municipalities. In the long-term, the project will contribute to the overall city and country energy and environment balances.

Methodology

MEEMP’s methodology to achieve its overarching objective – to improve the municipal energy management with a focus on public buildings as well as to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions – is based on three complementary components in an integrated approach:

• Component 1 will strengthen local ownership and the municipalities’ active participation in the energy planning process by means of the internationally recognized European Energy Award (EEA) and its methods tailored to Serbian framework conditions
• Component 2 will show by example and demonstrate the feasibility and profitability of implementing energy efficiency measures in 23 public buildings
• Component 3 will improve the human and institutional capacity at local level to plan, manage and monitor municipal energy action

Organisation

MEEMP is a project funded by the Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs SECO carried out in close cooperation with the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy MoME with support from the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM). The mandated Implementation Consortium join beside lead partner ENCO Energie-Consulting AG, Switzerland, the internationally and nationally experienced companies EBP Schweiz AG, Switzerland, GFA Entec, Switzerland, GFA South East Europe d.o.o., Serbia, and Quiddita d.o.o., Serbia.

A Project Coordination Unit (PCU), composed by the MoME staff, has been established in order to ensure the beneficiary municipalities’ active involvement in all project phases. The PCU is supported by a designated Project Implementation Assistant (PIA).
Each beneficiary municipality has set up a Project Management Unit (PMU), responsible for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of project related fields and activities.

Donor

Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO

The main targets of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs – SECO are to integrate partner countries into the global economy and to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth of these countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction. SECO’s support is intended to trigger and complement efforts made by partner governments, regional and local entities, and the private sector. SECO also aims to strengthen partner countries’ resilience and response to economic and financial crisis, environmental disasters and political conflict.

SECO supports the provision and maintenance of infrastructure in the fields of energy. More specifically, this involves establishing or renovating public infrastructure, improving management of public utilities, and ensuring sound financing of operating and maintenance costs. SECO contributes to improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental pollution. SECO helps cities make their energy supply more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia

Main activities of the Ministry of Mining and Energy (MoME) in the field of energy efficiency (EE), as a State administration body competent for energy efficiency, are:

Creating policy, regulatory and incentive conditions for the rational use of energy and increasing EE
Preparation and implementation of Energy Efficiency Action Plans and other strategic documents in the field of EE, monitoring effects of implemented EE measures and achieved energy savings in energy production, distribution and consumption sectors (buildings, industry, traffic)
Harmonization of the legal system of the Republic of Serbia with the regulations of the European Union in the field of efficient use of energy
Implementation and monitoring of the projects aiming to increase EE.

EE is a very important element of energy policy and sustainable development and also a way to fight climate change. Additionally, it is a driver of economic activities and contributes to increasing competitiveness of the economy and reducing energy costs for all energy users where energy efficiency measures are implemented.

EE policy in the Republic of Serbia, that is in the constant process of alignment with the latest EU regulations in the EE field, is defined by the Energy Sector Development Strategy, the Program for implementation of Energy Sector Development Strategy and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs).

Energy efficiency, which is recognized as the “new energy source”, is at the heart of the transition to a resource-efficient economy and the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.