Large-scale energy renovation projects in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

A few years ago, the County carried out a major investment in the energy renovation of school facilities, when eight school buildings and four gymnasiums were refurbished and equipped with energy-efficient lighting, heating systems, doors, and windows. These undertakings continued in 2023, when two additional buildings used by the Opatija Catering School, were renovated in order to improve their overall energy performance.

As an institution founded by the County to promote the rational use of existing energy resources and encourage renewable energy production, the Institution Regional Energy Agency Kvarner is continually involved in these endeavours. The Agency’s engagement is sometimes more prominent during the project preparation phase, but in most of the previously mentioned cases, the Agency oversaw the implementation of the entire process as well.

Investments in the energy efficiency of the County’s public buildings will continue in the upcoming years since a significant part of the required project and technical documentation has already been prepared for the renovation of the County’s five health centers, two nursing homes, and premises used by a Medical Rehabilitation Center in Crikvenica.

A noteworthy example that should be highlighted, however, is the building used by the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral in Rijeka. The Museum is located in a marvelous edifice called the Governor’s Palace which holds the status of a protected monument of culture and is widely considered one of the main landmarks in the city. In October 2023, a grant for a comprehensive energy renovation of the Palace was signed, which will ensure an investment of almost €4 million for this purpose.

A set of interventions will be carried out – in addition to installing thermal insulation and replacing the current internal joinery, heat pumps will be introduced to replace the existing fuel oil-based heating system. Photovoltaic modules for electricity generation will be installed as well, and energy-efficient lighting will be put in place of the current illumination. The implementation of this project was initiated in 2023 and is expected to be finalised in 2026.

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!