Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović signed a contract worth 4,8 million euros today to improve the energy efficiency of primary schools in Berane and Bijelo Polje.
Cluster IV includes the following primary schools: "Vuk Karadžić" in Berane, "Vladislav Ribnikar" and "Risto Ratković" in Bijelo Polje.
The contractor is the company "Eurozox" from Danilovgrad, and the deadline for completion of the works is five months from the contractor's introduction into the job.
The signing of the contract was also attended by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović.
"The contracted works include the replacement of roof coverings, facade hardware, thermal insulation of the external walls of the buildings, as well as the replacement of the entire existing lighting installation with LED lighting to save energy. The replacement of the lightning rod installation and general consumption installations is also planned. The bathroom will also be reconstructed with the replacement of the entire water supply and sewage installation, while the existing heating systems using light fuel oil will be replaced with an environmentally friendly pellet heating system," the Ministry of Energy and Mining announced.
They say that these works will significantly contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, while simultaneously improving the functionality and safety of the facilities.
"With this project, we show that energy efficiency also means investing in our children, and that is the most important investment, a pledge for the future. We want to create conditions in which Montenegrin students will learn and grow up in schools that meet the standards of developed countries. We are especially proud that we are investing in the north of Montenegro, because balanced regional development and equal living conditions for all citizens are one of the key priorities of the Government. This is not the end, we will continue with such projects throughout Montenegro, because we want every child, regardless of where they live, to have equal opportunities, better educational conditions and a secure future," said Šahmanović.
Minister Anđela Jakšić Stojanović emphasized that investments in educational facilities have multiple values: "By providing better conditions for students and teachers, we create the foundations for better quality education and a healthier environment for work and learning. Energy-efficient schools are a guarantee that we are investing in both the future of our children and in a responsible attitude towards the environment."
The PEEPB project is being implemented on the basis of a partnership arrangement between the Government, KfW Bank and the European Commission, through which a loan arrangement of 45 million euros and grant funds of almost 4,8 million euros have been secured. The Government is participating with its own funds of up to 10 million euros, which "confirms the commitment to apply the highest energy efficiency standards in public buildings," according to the Ministry of Energy and Mining.
So far, the project has completed the adaptation of several schools in Bar, Cetinje, Tuzi and Kotor, while work is currently underway on the construction of the pavilion of the "Grabovac" Home for the Elderly in Risan and the preparation of contracts for Cluster V in Herceg Novi and Risan. In parallel, technical documentation is being prepared for state administration facilities and educational institutions in Podgorica and Nikšić, and by the end of the year, it is planned to begin preparing the documentation for a new student dormitory in Cetinje.
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