Brežice boasts 15 energy-saving renovated buildings
Concluding partnerships can be an excellent response to times of crisis. This is affirmed by the public-private partnership of the Municipality of Brežice, Petrol, and Plistor, within the framework of which the energy-saving renovation of 15 buildings in Brežice was successfully completed. The renovation project started in May 2020 and ended in December. Consequently, Brežice will save more than €300,000 per year and will at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 485 tons of CO2 annually. This is the quantity annually absorbed by almost 25,000 trees.
Petrol is committed to sustainable development; therefore, energy-saving renovation projects are of extreme importance for Petrol. The energy-saving renovation of public buildings in the Municipality of Brežice is one of the largest projects involving public-private partnerships in energy contracting in Slovenian municipalities to-date. “Energy-saving building renovation projects and their effects benefit multiple stakeholders, especially end-users, as they provide equal or even greater comfort. In addition to the efficient use of energy, they also save time and money, which is very important nowadays,” said Tilen Smolnikar, head of the energy-saving renovation product group for buildings at Petrol.
And what did the project include? Kindergartens, primary schools, a music school, sports halls, a youth centre, a health centre, a stadium, and other public buildings were renovated. Due to the extensive range of buildings, the project was divided into two parts. The first part covered the integrated energy-saving renovation of 10 facilities, which included both technological and construction upgrades. In the context of the integrated energy-saving renovations, the thermal insulation of façades was completed, joinery was replaced, as well as ceiling insulation in unheated attics, thermostatic valves were installed, while gas boilers and ELKO boilers were renovated. Heating sources were also renovated by installing heat pumps, renovating interior lighting systems, and an energy management system was installed. The second part of the project included the renovation of 5 buildings and was primarily focused on the renovation of the buildings’ technological systems, such as heating, ventilation, cooling systems for ice production and efficient lighting systems.
At Petrol, we are aware that it is only through joint cooperation in resource management that will we be able to save our planet for future generations. This is why the project, through which the Municipality of Brežice in collaboration with the consortium of partners Petrol and Plistor improved the energy-efficiency of 15 public buildings, carries that much more weight. In addition to financial savings of more than €300,000 or guaranteed annual savings of heat and electricity of more than 1,200,000 kWh, the environmental aspect of reducing CO2 emissions by more than 485 tons per year is also very important, as it is equal to the quantity that is annually accumulated by 60 hectares of forest.
Energy-saving renovations were implemented in accordance with the energy contracting model, and the contract period is 15 years. Petrol will provide management and maintenance of the newly installed or renovated energy devices and systems during this period. The project was prepared and implemented in line with the provisions of the Energy-Saving Renovation of Public Buildings Programme of the Ministry for Infrastructure and includes cohesion funds from the 2014-2020 financial perspective.
