New investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy have been approved by the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration and will be carried out in the counties of Cluj, Maramureș, Alba, Brașov, Satu Mare and Sibiu.

“We organized the first meeting of the committee for the energy efficiency and renewable energy program, and the projects were approved for funding. This program represents a major opportunity for localities in Romania to invest in energy efficiency, emission reduction and the use of renewable energy. The selected projects will directly contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens and the green transition of local communities,” said the Minister of Development, Attila Cseke.

The program is financed through the Swiss Contribution for Economic and Social Cohesion with CHF 70.5 million (CHF 60 million Swiss grant, CHF 10.5 million national contribution). Investments in large cities, smaller and disadvantaged communities, the development of managerial and technical capacity for cities and communities, exchange of know-how and technical assistance from Swiss partners are being financed, according to Transilvania Business.

In the coming period, financing contracts will be concluded for the approved projects on the final list. These include a waste incinerator in Baia Mare (production of energy from municipal organic waste for biogas and its use in a cogeneration plant), the energy rehabilitation of the Ioan Stanatiev Sports Hall in Câmpia Turzii.

Energy efficiency and modernization of public buildings will be financed – RAT Brașov administrative headquarters; in-depth energy renovation of the Technical Energy College in Sibiu; transformation of Johan Ettinger Theoretical High School in Satu Mare into NZEB building; demolition of building 2, extension and modernization of the Micești Junior High School in Alba-Iulia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Swiss Contribution Office in Bucharest, the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Finance (national coordination unit), the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (paying authority, responsible for implementing the component of developing managerial and technical capacity for cities and communities – implementing the European Energy Prize).