EBRD provides €50 million to boost energy efficiency in Kosovo’s public buildings

This article is brought to you in association with EBRD.

• EBRD loan to boost energy efficiency in up to 400 public buildings in Kosovo
• Project will involve reconstruction, rehabilitation or refurbishment to improve structural condition
• Co-financing to come from the EU, the government of Kosovo and the Danish Fund for Kosovo

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is scaling up its support for energy efficiency in public buildings in Kosovo through a sovereign loan of up to €50 million to the Ministry of Finance.

The loan is part of a project worth at least €86 million that will be co-financed with €12.6 million from the government of Kosovo, a €7 million grant from the European Union through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans, and €3 million from the Danish Fund for Kosovo. The rest will be provided through technical cooperation funds.

The project involves implementing energy efficiency and renovation measures in up to 400 public buildings occupied by state-owned enterprises and administrative, education and healthcare facilities at both central and municipal levels.

Measures include installing thermal insulation, upgrading or replacing various systems (heating, lighting and electrical), replacing doors and windows, and applying any other necessary structural and comfort measures.

As a result, energy and maintenance costs in these buildings will fall, leading to average energy savings of 30 to 50 per cent, while substantially reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Sergiy Maslichenko, EBRD Head of Kosovo, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of buildings stands as a vital regional priority in the Western Balkans and across the European Union, reflecting our collective commitment to sustainability. This project represents a significant stride towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the quality of life for citizens in Kosovo. At the EBRD we are proud to lead this transformative initiative, building on our strong track record of supporting Kosovo through multiple loans.”

Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, said: “I am delighted that this project will not only help us to improve the energy efficiency and quality of 400 buildings, but also help us to update and improve our database on the condition of the entire public building stock in Kosovo.”

Fully aligned with the Bank’s country strategy for Kosovo 2022-27, the project marks a significant step in helping the country increase energy and resource efficiency to support its transition away from fossil fuels, as well as improving energy security and cut GHG emissions.

Renovating public and private buildings is vital if Kosovo is to improve efficiency and meet its climate goals; the building sector is the largest energy consumer in Europe, accounting for more than one-third of the EU’s emissions.

Since it began operations in Kosovo in 2012, the EBRD has supported the country’s energy efficiency initiatives through a range of loans, including direct financing for the municipalities of Pristina and Prizren to renovate up to 150 public buildings and funding to local banks for on-lending to energy efficiency improvements in residential properties and businesses.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Kosovo having deployed more than €770 million through 120 projects to date.