The Ministry of Energy and Mining has signed a contract worth more than 4,7 million euros for the reconstruction of the "Ilija Kišić" primary schools in Herceg Novi and "Veljko Drobnjaković" in Risan, the government department announced.
The Ministry said that generations of students from these schools will soon study in completely renovated, modern and energy-efficient facilities.
They stated that the signing of the contract opened another chapter in the largest investment cycle in public educational infrastructure in the history of Montenegro.
Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović said that seven schools have been renovated and that nearly six thousand students and employees live and work in better conditions, with significant savings of 59 percent less energy consumed.
"With two new schools in Herceg Novi and Risan and eight more facilities in various stages of renovation, we are moving forward with this very important project," said Šahmanović.
As he stated, the contract for the reconstruction of schools in Herceg Novi and Risan is another step in a broader plan for the greening of public infrastructure led by the Ministry of Energy and Mining.
"Our most important job is to leave our young people a country that consumes less energy, pollutes less and offers more, with better quality classrooms, cleaner air and more responsible resource management," said Šahmanović.
He pointed out that the schools were not chosen randomly.
"The young people sitting in classrooms today will be the ones who will design, lead and live a green Montenegro in just a few years. That is why school buildings are at the center of the public infrastructure greening program, because a healthy, warm, bright and energy-efficient learning space is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for sending a message to young people that their education, health and future are taken seriously," added Šahmanović.
The Ministry said that the start of construction work is planned for June.
"The reconstruction includes structural renovation of buildings, installation of thermal insulation on the facade, floor and roof, replacement of joinery, modernization of the heating and cooling system with a transition to more environmentally friendly energy sources, installation of LED lighting, as well as reconstruction of sanitary facilities adapted for people with disabilities," the statement says.
Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović emphasized that the signing of the contract for the complete reconstruction of the facilities of the "Ilija Kišić" Elementary School in Herceg Novi and the "Veljko Drobnjaković" Elementary School in Risan, worth over 4,7 million euros excluding value added tax, will enable the creation of much better conditions in these educational institutions, and that the works will significantly contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability while simultaneously improving the functionality and safety of the facility.
"As we previously announced, the Government, through the Ministries of Education, Science and Innovation, Public Works, and Energy and Mining, has launched the largest investment cycle in educational infrastructure through various projects, so we look forward to future projects that will enable the educational process in Montenegro to be implemented in accordance with the most modern standards, modeled after the most developed countries in Europe and the world," said Jakšić Stojanović.
The statement states that this contract builds on the concrete results that the project Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro, has already achieved.
The Ministry reminded that in February 2024, the reconstruction of three schools in Kotor, Nikšić and Tuzi was completed, and in February last year, four schools in Bar and Cetinje.
"These seven renovated buildings, with a total area of approximately 35,5 thousand square meters, are now used daily by almost six thousand students and employees," the statement said.
It is stated that the average energy savings are around 59 percent per school, or 3,23 thousand megawatt-hours (MWh) per year in total, while the reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is on average 69 percent, which corresponds to around 1,4 thousand tons of avoided emissions each year.
The Ministry of Energy and Mining said that the total value of the investment in these seven schools amounted to 16,4 million euros.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
