Energy efficiency in cities is increasingly moving beyond isolated repairs and becoming part of long-term investment management. Reducing energy consumption in a single building is no longer sufficient. The key is to connect technical measures, legal feasibility, realistic financing and the future operating model so that the investment continues to make sense after implementation.
As part of the project, we prepared an investment concept for energy-saving measures for a major regional city. The documentation focused on four interconnected areas: the modernisation of an apartment building used for municipal and social housing, energy measures in selected municipal buildings including school facilities, the modernisation of public lighting and the introduction of an energy management system. Our work also included legal analysis and economic and financial assessment of the individual project components.
Apartment building
For the apartment building, we addressed the combination of energy modernisation and the long-term sustainability of municipal housing. The financial model assumes that operating costs will be covered from rental income, while the planned investment amounts to approximately EUR 8.1 million. The legal assessment focused primarily on energy legislation, building law, public procurement requirements and the owner’s obligations towards tenants during the reconstruction.
Municipal buildings
The second part of the investment concept focused on municipal buildings, particularly schools and kindergartens. In this area, it was essential to connect energy savings with the requirements for safe, healthy and functional public facilities. The financial model works with an assumed reduction in energy costs of approximately 35% and also considers the use of EPC financing, a model in which part of the investment is repaid from the achieved savings. The total investment in this area exceeds EUR 23.6 million.
Public lighting
A separate area was the modernisation of public lighting. This can deliver not only lower energy consumption, but also more effective management of municipal infrastructure and improved safety in public spaces. Within the project, we assessed the legal framework related to construction interventions, transport infrastructure, public procurement, public health protection and the minimisation of light pollution. The financial model considers implementation through a public-private partnership.
Energy management
The fourth part focused on energy management. In this case, the issue is not only technological. It is also about setting up processes, data flows and responsibilities. Investment in software, hardware, training and automated data collection should help the city monitor energy consumption across dozens of buildings and gradually manage savings on the basis of more accurate information. The legal analysis also reflected the growing requirements placed on public entities in the field of energy management, including the ISO 50001 standard.
The project demonstrates that energy savings are not merely a technical topic. Successful implementation requires the alignment of investment priorities, available grant and private financing, legal requirements, operational responsibility and the city’s ability to manage change over the long term. It is precisely at the intersection of strategy, financing and implementation that the real value of such projects is created.
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