Mihajlovic in Vrbas: Reducing energy consumption by 40 percent is a national goal
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy, prof. Zorana Mihajlovic, PhD, stated in Vrbas, where the contract on the reconstruction of the Elementary School "Svetozar Miletic" and four kindergartens was signed, that after the completion of works in these facilities, the bills for electricity and heat will be significantly reduced, and the total carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 40 percent, or about 400 tons per year.
She said that this is a continuation of the project of raising energy efficiency and energy management, which the Ministry is implementing together with local self-government units and the Swiss Embassy.
"When the works are finished in April, we will all have the opportunity to see what this and other facilities will look like and how much the project means. The money we have set aside is not small, but the savings will be even greater and, more importantly, carbon dioxide emissions will be lower by 400 tons per year, and if we count Krusevac, Paracin and Uzice, where this project is also implemented, then it is that 1,500 tons less. This is part of our long-term goal of reducing energy consumption by 40 percent by 2030. Also, the plan is to have at least 50 percent of energy obtained from renewable sources, and that is the joint work of the Government, local governments, but also all of us, and to teach our children about what energy efficiency is and how important energy is. "Only when we achieve that goal can we talk about the green agenda and about trying to have a healthier environment," she pointed out.
The value of the works, which will start at the end of the month and should be finished by April next year, is almost one and a half million euros.
"It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to be a part of this project, which is one of the priorities of all local governments in the district. I would also like to refer to the fact that six of the 12 local governments are participating in the project of raising energy efficiency. I call on all fellow citizens to follow the steps in order to be ready for implementation in this and next year, " said Milan Novakovic, the head of the Juznobacki district.
Predrag Rojevic, the president of the municipality of Vrbas, said that this municipality wants to be a leader in energy efficiency.
"This is an important project for our children and for all employees in the preschool and primary school. One of the priorities in the work is education and I hope that with the further help of the Ministry we will work on improving the conditions in all educational institutions. "
H.E. Urs Schmid, the Ambassador of Switzerland, expressed great satisfaction that, together with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister, he was attending the signing of the agreement for the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
"Switzerland, together with the Ministry, supports this project and at the same time promotes the introduction of the European energy award and measures to improve energy efficiency in public buildings in local governments. We also support the program of heat supply in Vrbas in the period from 2021 to 2030, which provides the basis for the energy transition, "said the ambassador.