Posted on : 12/5/2017

On Tuesday, 28 November 2017, in the United Nations Building in Belgrade, 29 local self-governments selected according to the Public Call for support to local self-government units to introduce the Energy Management System and the use of locally available biomass for energy generation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme.

The expected outcome of this MoU is enhanced growth and sustainable development of Serbia through improved energy efficiency and more intensive use of renewable energy in final energy consumption, as well as through raising public awareness and dialogue in Serbia on energy efficiency and renewable energy issues.

Public Call for support to local self-government units to introduce the Energy Management System and the use of locally available biomass for energy generation was realised last summer. The scope of Public Call is providing technical assistance for:

1) Preparing the annual report on achieving the energy savings targets for units of LSG as designated organisations of the energy management system according to the „Rulebook on the Format of Annual Reports on Achieving the Energy Savings Targets“ („The Official Gazette of RS”, No. 32/16 of 30.03.2016 which came into effect as of 07.04.2016) for the years 2016 and 2017; 

2) Drafting the energy efficiency programs for units of LSG (hereinafter: the Programme) in accordance with the Law on Efficient use of Energy („The Official Gazette of RS”, No. 25/13) with sub-programmes analysing the available potential and use of biomass for energy purposes in the territories of units of LSG;

3) Training of EMIS end-users in public buildings, in competence of units of LSG, to use and enter data into the EMIS;

4) Elaborating the inventory of boilers in public buildings, in competence of units of LSG;

5) Training on project financing for generation of energy from biomass in agricultural holdings (with special focus on mechanisms defined within the Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development – IPARD for 2014-2020);

6) Training on energy crops plantations (local potential and specific characteristics for growing such crops, their manner of utilisation, incentives, recommendations to producers and local self-government, etc.);

UNDP shall cover the costs for consultants to be engaged for drafting of annual reports, drafting of the energy efficiency programmes, training of beneficiaries and mentoring beneficiaries of public buildings controlled by units of LSG to use and enter data to the EMIS, develop the inventory of boiler plants, training on project financing for generation of energy from biomass in agricultural holdings, and training on energy crops. 

Mr. Miloš Banjac, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Mr. Đorđe Staničić, sekretary general of SCTM and Ms. Steliana Nedera, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Serbia addressed the representatives of the LSG units and pointed out the importance of the activities foreseen by the public call. Maja Matejić, UNDP Energy Portfolio Manager, explained the manner and the expected pace of the activities to be implemented. On behalf of LSG units, Vladimir Gak, the Mayor of Indjija, addressed the participants and pointed out that improving the energy efficiency of public buildings and utility services is a way to make substantial savings in the budget of local self-governments.

The Memorandum was signed between the UNDP and the following local self-governments: Aleksandrovac, Alibunar, Apatin, Bajina Bašta, Bačka Palanka, Bečej, Crveni Krst (Niš), Ćuprija, Gornji Milanovac, Inđija, Ivanjica, Kladovo, Knjaževac, Lebane, Lučani, Petrovac na Mlavi, Priboj, Raška, Savski Venac (Belgrade), Senta, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Šid, Trstenik, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradište, Vladičin Han, Vlasotince, Vrnjačka Banja.