A Pathway to Sustainable Energy Practices

The Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement: A Practical Tool for Local Administration

Specifically crafted for municipalities and local authorities, the Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement seeks to harmonise local and national efforts with broader European Union energy and climate goals. The guide’s principles emphasise the importance of energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, resource optimisation, environmental impact mitigation, improved air quality, compliance with legislation, feasibility of implementation and a general focus on energy performance rather than prescriptive technologies. By adopting these principles, EUKI project MENERGERS equips municipalities with practical guidance on incorporating energy performance considerations at the planning stage, ultimately ensuring that energy efficiency and sustainability become a priority in local projects.

Key Events Supporting Implementation: Training and Knowledge Exchange

To support the adoption of the guidelines and bolster local expertise, two pivotal events were held within the framework of EUKI project MENERGERS, aimed at engaging municipalities and other key stakeholders.

The first event, held in April 2024, was a Training Session on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in the Built Environment, which took place in Brașov and was hosted by Energy Cities Romania (OER). Representatives from the pilot cities of EUKI project MENERGERS – Alba Iulia, Sfântu Gheorghe and Zalău- as well as other cities involved in the EUKI-funded Ready4NetZero initiative, attended this session. Training topics included the principles of sustainable building, such as Energy Efficiency First, nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) standards and national legislation. The session’s practical focus provided local technical staff with actionable insights for both new construction and renovation projects and it covered compliance with updated energy performance calculation methodologies. Trainers shared practical case studies, encouraging participants to engage in interactive discussions that fostered collaborative learning.

The second key event was the launch of a Communication Platform, a dedicated forum for dialogue on energy and climate initiatives. The platform’s primary objective was to establish a multi-level governance structure, enhancing cooperation between national and local authorities, civil society and industry stakeholders. Representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, the Association of Prosumers and Energy Communities, Greenpeace Romania and municipalities involved in EUKI project MENERGERS participated in this launch event. Discussions centered on harmonising Romania’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) with EU recommendations and setting ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption. Local authorities were able to address challenges encountered in policy implementation, with the feedback gathered to inform future national policy developments. Participants expressed support for in-person, roundtable discussions, which facilitated meaningful relationship-building and addressed complex issues more effectively.

Impacts and Future Steps

Through its focus on collaboration and the integration of energy performance indicators, EUKI project MENERGERS in Romania is laying the groundwork for sustainable development. By equipping local administrations with practical tools and fostering open dialogue among key stakeholders, this project helps create an ecosystem supportive of Romania’s ambitious energy and climate objectives.

As Romania advances toward its goals of reducing carbon emissions and optimising resource use, EUKI project MENERGERS exemplifies how structured support and collaboration can drive meaningful and lasting progress.