Comprehensive energy efficiency renovations are being made to buildings at state-owned arts schools in Poland. The schools covered by the upgrades are located in larger cities throughout all 16 regions of the country.
- 05 October 2017
Work is to be carried out on 187 buildings at 139 arts schools owned by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The scope includes insulation of building envelopes, replacement of doors and windows, and renovation of ventilation, air-conditioning and lighting.
Heat sources are to be modernised or replaced, while building management systems – computer-based systems that control and monitor a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment – are to be installed to better manage energy consumption.
Equipment to provide access to renewable energy sources, such as heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar panels and solar thermal collectors, is to be fitted. The renovations also comprise related tasks necessary for delivering the required energy efficiency.
Upgrades for old buildings
Most of the buildings where the work takes place are old. Some 83 of them (44 %) are protected due to their historical significance. A further 39 (21 %) are not protected but were built before 1945, while 65 (35 %) date from between 1946 and 1992.
The improvements have been made possible by EU financial support of nearly EUR 94 million. The total budget for the upgrades is over EUR 115 million.
Reductions in consumption and emissions
Expected results include reductions in energy consumption of 164 773 gigajoules a year – an overall saving of 60 % – with estimated consumption savings for individual buildings ranging from 11.8 % to 90.3 %. The renovations will bring about total annual reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 22 269 tonnes – a drop of 73 %. Installations fitted under the project will provide additional energy production capacity of 3.61 megawatts.
Given its focus on arts schools many of which are in listed buildings, the project shows an attachment to and support for preservation of Poland’s cultural heritage, as well as a commitment to clean energy. This outlook is in line with European energy union objectives of ensuring a secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy supply. It also tallies with EU aims for 2020 of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % from 1990 levels, increasing the share of the EU’s energy produced from renewable sources to 20 % (15 % for Poland) and increasing energy efficiency by 20 % with respect to 2005 levels.
Energy efficiency policy in Poland is largely defined by the country’s energy policy for the period up to 2030 and national energy efficiency action plans. The plans describe energy efficiency programmes in different economic sectors, set national targets and provide information on energy savings in transmission, distribution and consumption.
They also detail strategies for supporting investment in building renovations. Polish authorities purchase and use energy-efficient products and services, buy or rent energy-efficient buildings and meet certain standards concerning energy efficiency of modernised or refurbished public buildings.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Comprehensive thermo-modernisation of state arts schools in Poland” is EUR 115 108 665, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 93 939 523 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.