Energy saving in the State: The measures announced

By Harry Floudopoulos

The public administration should be a positive example and lead to cost reduction and systematization of energy savings, said the Minister of Environment and Energy K. Skrekas during the presentation of measures for energy savings in the State.

Specifically, the operation of a digital system for monitoring public energy consumption will begin, while the goal is to reduce by 10% of annual consumption and by 30% by 2030. At the same time, incentives are given to public bodies to save energy.

The immediate efficiency measures designed together with the Ministry of Interior concern the rational management and maintenance of cooling and air conditioning systems, street lighting as well as sewerage and water supply management systems.

At the same time, the energy saving program for public buildings was announced. Electra, amounting to 640 million euros, which will help save energy in 2.5 million square meters of public buildings. Mr. Skrekas.

Deputy Minister of Finance Th. Skylakakis stated for his part that the public expenditure for electricity reaches 800 million euros without taxes and fees. A relevant amendment will be tabled for the implementation of the measures, while administrative and technical managers will be appointed for the buildings. Through a platform, the consumption of the 212,000 public watches will be monitored and the consumptions will be recorded. In order to implement the measures, there will be a help desk that will support the institutions. Part of the aid will be given from the budget and part if the incentives are met.

In the event that an entity achieves the target measures, the reduction will be taken into account while the entities that did not achieve the targets will have to meet economic targets from other cuts. The goal is to achieve savings of 10%. With the correct implementation of the measures, the public administration will give a good example of energy saving, said Mr. Skylakakis.

For his part, Interior Minister M. Voridis said that there will be immediate coordination to appoint those responsible for the buildings, adding that the interventions of the program include actions that should have been taken anyway and come forward due to the energy crisis.

Finally, the Secretary General of Energy of RIS A. Sdoukos noted that the energy expenditure for the total of 212 thousand public buildings amounted in 2020 to 596 million euros for 4450 gigawatt hours while in 2021 increased to 5236 kilowatt hours at a cost of 956 million euros. For 2022, it is expected to remain at 5300 gigawatt hours, which corresponds to 10,855 of final consumption at a cost of 1.165 billion euros, ie an increase of 66% compared to 2020.

The aim of the interventions is to achieve energy savings of 15 to 20% while the actions will be extended with other interventions.

Under the program, public bodies will be asked to immediately appoint the energy manager in each building to monitor a set of buildings and facilities. The air conditioners and the burners and the central units will be maintained while their temperature will be regulated. Proper operation of the systems will reduce energy consumption.

Public employees will also be asked not to waste energy, eg not to operate air conditioners with open windows, and every 2 to 3 hours to take a break of 10 minutes that will close the air conditioning and open the windows for ventilation.

Cooling and heating will also be turned off during non-working hours while the building will be naturally ventilated during the night. At the same time, the installation of shading systems, blinds and curtains is foreseen.

These actions are expected to reduce consumption by 10%. Also from the interventions in the street lighting, a reduction of the cost is expected from 15 to 35%.

Finally, today the guide for the energy upgrade program of the building sector of the public Electra is expected to be published with a budget of 640 million euros and the implementing body is CRES, while the financing will be done through the Deposits and Loans Fund. The buildings that will be included should at least be upgraded to category B. They will be financed for emission reduction actions by 30%, use of RES, etc. The program will include general government buildings, training buildings, etc. The eligible interventions will be the replacement of windows, installation of shading systems, production and storage of electricity. 50% of the cost will be financed, a percentage that can reach up to 70% if the building succeeds in an upgrade to category B.