Improving Energy Efficiency and integration of renewable energy in buildings

Project description

Title: Kosovo Energy Project
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Kosovo
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Economy
Overall term: 2021 to 2023

Context

As a member of the European Energy Community (EnC), Kosovo is committed to transposing and implementing EU directives relevant to energy efficiency and renewable energy. This also means setting targets and monitoring implementation. This commitment is also reflected in the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo. From 2021 on, Kosovo has to draft and adapt the integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2021-2030. This sets new targets for energy efficiency, renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions, which are to be reached by 2030.

One of the challenges in the decade to come is making buildings in Kosovo more energy efficient. Buildings account for around 40 per cent of the country’s total energy consumption. According to estimations 30 to 40 per cent of energy can be saved in this sector. One of the necessary steps is to encourage the use of renewable energy for self-consumption in buildings, which will reduce energy bills significantly and reduce CO2 emissions that result from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat buildings. This may not only contribute to making the country more energy efficient, but can also improve comfort in buildings.

Implementing the NECP in the building sector requires changing the regulatory framework, increasing administrative capacities and establishing financial mechanisms.

The programme supports partner institutions in the building sector to this end. Moreover, it encourages a wider use of digital tools to get Municipal Energy and Climate Plans (MECP) in line with the NECP.

Objective

Kosovo’s government is successfully implementing the NECP in buildings. An integrated digital system for energy auditing, energy performance certification and monitoring is applied. Local level institutions have aligned their MECPs with NECP.

Approach

To tackle the challenges the project:

  • supports the Ministry of Economy/the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Agency and the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure. The aim is to improve the legal and regulatory framework for the implementation of NECP in the building sector. A special focus is placed on improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy sources for self-consumption.
  • develops integrated digital tools for data processing to be used in energy management, monitoring and verification at local level. This involves energy performance certification, energy auditing as well as inspecting heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC).
  • works to get Municipal Energy and Climate Plans (MECPs) in line with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)  
  • enhances the political dialogue on Energy Transition by establishing a regular exchange between politics, civil society, research and the private sector.

Last update: May 2021

Additional information