Petrol plans to double its efforts in the energy renovation of buildings
When Petrol launched its energy renovation activity twenty years ago, in collaboration with the City Municipality of Kranj, it had no idea that the project would become a major milestone in the development of energy contracting projects in the country. Even more, the project became an example of good practice, and set the foundations for all future projects of this type. During this time, different cycles of economic crises and upturns came and went, but efficient resource management continued to gain importance, both in public and in corporations, in keeping with the rapid pace of capitalism. The current crisis is therefore also a challenge to develop even more deliberate and sustainable foundations.
Over the years, energy renovations have proved to be a great building block of a more sustainable low-carbon society. In this, the energy contracting model is vital, as it helps municipalities and the public sector to renovate a large part of their building stock, without any borrowing. At the same time, municipalities can release any funds they have set aside, and allocate them for other investments.
The unexpected turn of world events in early spring surprised everyone, including Petrol, as the largest provider of comprehensive energy and environmental solutions. Jože Bajuk, Member of the Management Board of Petrol, responsible for Energy and Environmental Systems, said: “At Petrol, we’re aware of the global challenge presented by climate change, and we follow all commitments and requirements related to reducing the carbon footprint, climate agreements, as well as European and national legislation and guidelines. We contribute through joint partnership projects related to the energy sector and the environment, because we understand that future development comes from multi-stakeholder cooperation and related actions. At the same time, we’re rapidly developing Tango, our unique platform with which we are co-creating smart and user-friendly cities and communities in the markets of Southeast Europe. With new technologies, we can achieve individual objectives differently and with greater efficiency in terms of emissions and added value per employee, and they also help us to participate in the new reality that is being established. This is why we remain highly active, and in the coming years plan to further intensify our efforts in the energy renovation of buildings.”
Some years ago, Petrol embedded in its strategy a commitment to the transition to a low-carbon society, because it believes this is the right direction for the preservation of our planet for future generations. This is why the company pays particular attention to important energy renovation projects, and forms partnerships even in the most difficult times, all in the name of continued development. As such, it has launched two new projects for the energy renovation of buildings in the past week. The first project concerns a public-private partnership with the University of Maribor, where Petrol will carry out the energy renovation of four important educational establishments in Kranj, as part of a consortium with Domplan Kranj and Gorenjske elektrarne. With this, the University of Maribor will save €230,000, and reduce CO2 emissions by over 400 tonnes annually, the quantity absorbed by almost 20,000 trees, or 45 hectares of forest per year.
The second project deals with a public-private partnership with the Brežice Municipality, where Petrol and Plistor will carry out the energy renovation of 15 public buildings. Through energy contracting, the Brežice Municipality will save €308,267 annually, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 485 tonnes of CO2 a year, corresponding to the quantity absorbed by 25,000 trees, or nearly 60 hectares of forest per year.