Belgrade Open School is actively working on research on energy efficiency policy at the local level. We intend to support further work on improving energy efficiency policy through our research work, by maintaining the dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders.

This year we have started our research on the subject through the meeting with representatives of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources Sector of the Ministry of Mining and Energy. In this meeting, the Ministry representatives shared the available data and information on establishment of the Energy Management System. Research on Energy Efficiency Policy in Serbia 

The framework for Energy Management System was established in March 2013 through adoption of the Law on Energy Efficiency. By provisions of this law, all municipalities with population greater than 20000 people are subjected to the Energy Management System (EMS). According to the Population Census carried out in 2011, 79 local self-government units (LSGs) are subjected to the EMS in Serbia. Upon adoption of the Law on EMS, the Ministry of Mining and Energy had a deadline to pass all the necessary by-laws. Within the same deadline, LSGs were required to establish the EMS system at the local level. 

The first comprehensive research on energy efficiency policy by Belgrade Open School was carried out in 2014 through sending questionnaires to all LSGs in Serbia. 79 LSG units responded to the questionnaire by November 2014. Out of these LSGs, only 14 confirmed they had appointed an energy manager. Out of these 14, 11 cities and municipalities were under the category of EMS subjects according to their population. 

The set of necessary bylaws was completed in March in April 2016, thus enabling the full functioning of the EMS. The Third Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, defining the saving targets, was adopted on January 6th 2017. Upon adoption of this Action Plan, LSGs were expected to adopt their Energy Efficiency Programs within the following 60 days. 

Representatives of BOS took part in the meeting with representatives of the Ministry on October 12th 2017. On that meeting, Ministry officials confirmed that, to that day, 17 LSGs had appointed Energy managers and informed the Ministry. Moreover, only 13 LSGs had submitted their Annual Reports on Achieved Savings to the Ministry. In addition to that, the Ministry officials claimed they didn’t have the information on the number of LSGs which had adopted their Energy Efficiency Programs. 

The comparison of the data gathered in 2014 and 2017 shows notable difference (while taking into account that 8 cities and municipalities listed in the database of Ministry in 2017 did not participate in the 2014 research). 1 municipality which had appointed Energy Manager in 2014 is in the Ministry’s 2017 database.

The cities and municipalities which carried out activities and projects indicating development of comprehensive energy management system within a year after the adoption of the Law – are not in the Ministry database. On the other hand, 4 years after the adoption of the Law on SME, 10 months upon adoption of the Third Energy Efficiency Action Plan and 7 months after the deadline for submitting Annual Report on Achieved Savings, the LSGs are still not regularly reporting the Ministry on the activities related to the Energy Management System. 

The experience and results achieved in energy efficiency in pioneering cities and municipalities are of great importance for the LSGs that have only started to develop their own energy management systems. Furthermore, complying with the Law and meeting legal requirements through regular consumption monitoring and reporting are equally important for successful development and implementation of this policy. 

Photo sourece: Freepik