Pilot Countries

In 2023, the activities within the SECO funded SEMP Project (Smart Energy Municipalities Project) were focused on the implementation of the EEA-based Energy Management System in Albania. The first assessment with the EEA for the four pilot municipalities of Shkodra, Berat, Korca and Permet was supplemented with additional tools: for the check of the performance of the municipal buildings, the Swiss tool EnerCoach was adapted to the Albanian context. Based on the collected data and the EEA analysis the 4 municipalities – with the support of the local consultants and the Agency for Energy Efficiency - developed first drafts for their Municipal Energy and Climate Action Plans.

The energy agency BBL (Bond Beter Leef Milieu) is seeking opportunities to expand its reach within the eea. Despite facing some challenges, they remain proactive in exploring potential avenues for growth. For instance, BBL is collaborating with the Flemish Energy Agency to develop a robust monitoring system, aiding municipalities in meeting their CoM targets. Additionally, they are forging a promising partnership with a company that specialises in data collection and monitoring, presenting exciting prospects to synergise efforts and catalyse local climate action. 

In Romania , RoGBC has finalised in November 2023 the EXCITE, a Horizon 2020 project promoting the implementation of European Energy Award in Eastern and Central Europe, involving Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine. Details can be found at http://www.excite-project.eu/

In 2023, four new municipalities joined eea: Oradea, Sighetu Marmatiei, Gherla and Buteni. The highest score was reached by Oradea with 46.20%, a city at the border with Hungary that start to invest in infrastructure and in geo-thermal heating.

Romania has 5 levels in the eea programme: 1 Leaf = 25%, 2 Leafs = 37,5%, 3 Leafs = 50%, 4 Leafs = 62,5% and 5 Leafs = 75% (eea Gold).

The current status of the local authorities: Vama Buzaului and Gherla reached the first level (min. 25%) and Iasi, Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca and Turda reached the second level (min. 37.5%).

In 2023, the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Management Project in Serbia (MEEMP) funded by the Swiss Government, was partially extended by an eleven-month bridging phase. Following the successfull EEA awarding of the participating pilot municipalities of Krusevac, Paracin, Uzice and the pre-EEA Pioneer Award for Vrbas, additional targeted support for the implementation of the energy efficiency plan was carried out. Finally, the city of Vrbas could improve their performance to a standard that resulted in an EEA certification in November 2023.  To foster the experience exchange and communication between the EEA countries, representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy (MoME) and the Standing Conference of Towns and municipalities participated in the EEA National Assembly in Brussels.

The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022 has had significant impacts on the country’s institutional and political frameworks as well as the priorities for all stakeholders. The war has also caused significant damage to municipal, transport and residential infrastructure, resulting not only in billions of financial losses but also in large-scale migration within Ukraine and to neighbouring countries.
Despite the difficult situation in the country, almost all eea municipalities that joined the eea in 2021 completed the initial review and developed specific eea action plans in 2022. The eea National Office has supported these municipalities in their efforts. In addition, the family of accredited eea consultants and auditors has grown by one eea consultant and one eea auditor.
In the framework of the SECO-funded eea project, the city of Trostyanets received support for the implementation of a demonstration project. Specifically, a rooftop solar PV power plant with a nominal capacity of 45 kW and backup power storage for the Trostyanets central hospital was installed. The national eea team also completed the first edition of the eea assessment guidance and submitted it for final review and approval by the Association.