The second session of the Energy Sector Working Group (WG) was held on Wednesday 27 May in Vrbas Municipality, municipality specifically selected as a good example of energy efficiency.
The session focused on development of good practices in the area of energy efficiency on local level, but also on activities of the Ministry of Mining and Energy in EU negotiation process as well as EE projects implemented by the Government.
Deputy Mayor of Vrbas Municipality opened the session, welcoming participants to pioneer municipality in improving EE in public buildings. Municipality Energy Manager, Mr. Nikola Vujanovic presented activities within the municipality from the initial establishment of the EE office until today. He stressed that there were some hesitations on creating such an office and that the initial steps in introducing EE in municipality were done by personal efforts of few enthusiasts.
Official first step was the adoption of the municipal Development Strategy for 2010-2015 where for the first time EE was included in the official municipal document with clearly set goals. It is important to stress that from 30 decisions set in the Strategy, so far only one was not implemented until today.
The major milestone was creation of the EE Office within the municipality that included information system for energy management, introduction of energy audit for all public buildings, as well as preparation of local energy plan that was latter adopted unanimously by municipal assembly. The EE Office has started issuing energy passports for buildings so all buildings in the jurisdiction of municipality have one. The EE Office has its website as well as info point in the municipal building and consultations with citizens.