CRPE hosted Bucharest ZINERGY ECO CAMP an event dedicated to urban transformation and energy efficiency, with the support of partners Norsk Energi (Norway), Freedom House Romania in collaboration with Energy Policy Group.
We are glad to have brought together top experts, public authorities, international financial institutions, architects, private companies and environmental platforms and key professional associations to see challenges but also concrete solutions in the field of energy efficiency.
CRPE continues its third program dedicated to green policies and climate change measures, focusing on communities of practice and expertise in key areas of the clean energy transition: energy efficiency (both public and residential sectors), waste management, circular economy, and the utilization of geothermal energy/resources.
Regardless of the pace of the European Green Deal, energy efficiency remains a crucial topic, especially with the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) set to be implemented at the national level in April 2024. Investments in this area lead to reduced resource and primary energy consumption, and most importantly, lower long-term costs for consumers and local administrations.
Our ECO CAMP on “Urban Transformation and Energy Efficiency,” held on January 31, 2025, in Bucharest, brought together top speakers, multi-sector expertise, high-performing public administrations, and major public and private projects. Key financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and commercial banks, presented success stories, challenges, and future outlooks. The event was organized in partnership with Norsk Energi (Norway) and Freedom House Romania, in collaboration with the Energy Policy Group.
Why investing in Energy Efficiency matters:
- Reducing energy consumption and waste is a top priority for the European Union, with ambitious 2030 targets for Romania.
- Major cities are at the forefront of carbon emissions reduction efforts. The construction sector and renovation of existing buildings require substantial investments in the coming years.
- EU funding allocations for energy renovation are insufficient. Integrated, multisectoral, public-private strategies are necessary, along with simplified energy audit processes and technological solutions for both public and residential buildings.
Key contributions and expert insights:
National ministries overseeing energy efficiency programs provided valuable insights into policy developments, helping connect public policies with best practices from Romania and abroad. Notable speakers included:
- Paul BARBUR, State Secretary, Ministry of Environment
- Sorin DECA, National Ministry of Education, responsible for PNRR implementation
- Victoria ZINCHUK, Director, EBRD Romania
Practices and challenges in Local Public Administration have been highlighted by
Octavian ARON, Bucharest Sector 6 City Hall – with consistent practice and a list of finalised projects on Energy Eficiency – NZEB in public building, Elena TUDOSE, formare city manager of @nd Distruct of Bucharest, Local Councilor, Sector 2 Bucharest on a rezidential pilot project nZEB standards and Alexandru LAZAROV, Deputy Mayor, Sector 5 Bucharest, presented future investment plans for energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency in Practice: Performance and Challenges in Public Renovation
Our discussions also featured key experts in urban energy transformation:
- Eugen PANESCU, Urban Architect, MontagStudio, ACE Urban Transformation & Housing Working Group Coordinator
- Emilia Cerna MLADIN, Romanian Association of Energy Auditors (AAER)
- Horia PETRAN, Cluster pRO nZEB (National Institute for Construction and Urban Development Research – URBAN INCERC)
- Aura OANCEA, Energy Policy Group, presenting the national program “Romania Efficientă”.
One of the most pressing discussions—highlighted within the pannel disscution with Banca Transilvania—was the financing mix needed to support these projects, particularly for local public administrations. With EU structural, cohesion, and PNRR funds either running out or decreasing, especially for developed regions, Romania and other net recipients of EU funds will need alternative financial mechanisms post-2027.
Private Sector Insights: Vision, Inspiration, and Practical Applications
We also explored real-world applications of energy efficiency solutions through architecture firms and major suppliers. Special thanks to Elena Ștefănescu, co-founder of StudioAE, and the consistent contribution of our panelist:
- Bogdan PINTILIE, CEO, Pintilie and Partners
- Norana PETRE, Certified Passive House Designer
- Alexandra-Iulia ALEXA, Passive House Architect of Romania
- Sabin PREDA, CEO, Novinger Klaus Group, expert in centralized and decentralized ventilation systems
- Ionuț CĂLUGĂRU, General Manager, MAXA Heating & Cooling Romania, CELSIO TECH SRL
A special thank you to Ernst Erik HEMPEL, Senior Engineer at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Department of Built Environment, for presenting energy efficiency models from Norway.
Looking Ahead:
On January 21, 2025, ZINERGY Eco Camp hosted its session on “Clean Power, Essential Progress: Geothermal Resources, Waste Management, and Circular Economy” in Bucharest. The event gathered over 75 experts from local administrations, businesses, and policymakers, with participation from Norwegian partners. Best practices and major projects were showcased by local administrations from Oradea, Alba Iulia, and Buzău. The European Investment Bank (EIB) office in Bucharest also presented significant financing opportunities, including a €14 million investment in Galați for waste sorting and treatment.
These initiatives are part of the “Stronger Communities in the Green Transition: Romania-Norway Exchange of Best Practices and Expertise for Clean Energy and Building Renovation,” project supported by grants from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants’ Fund for Bilateral Relations in Romania.