EBRD And EU Support Montenegro With €15 Million For Hospital Energy Efficiency And Solar Upgrades

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €12 million to the government of Montenegro to enhance the energy efficiency of three hospital buildings. The funds, allocated to the Ministry of Health, aim to support healthcare policy, strategy, and the maintenance and reconstruction of public hospitals.

Additionally, the European Union will contribute a €2 million investment grant through the EU-EBRD Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans (REEP) and a €1 million technical assistance grant for project preparation and implementation.

The financing will be used for various energy efficiency measures, including installing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, improving building performance, and potentially integrating renewable energy technologies like solar power. The hospitals benefiting from these upgrades are the clinical center in Podgorica, the hospital in Cetinje, and the hospital in Bijelo Polje.

This project aims to improve energy performance and environmental sustainability, enhancing the structural integrity of the hospitals. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, achieving primary energy savings of over 30 percent compared to baseline levels.

The signing ceremony included Montenegrin Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun, Remon Zakaria, Head of Montenegro for the EBRD, and Sue Barrett, Director, Head of Infrastructure for Europe, Middle East and Africa at the EBRD.

Novica Vuković, Montenegrin Minister of Finance, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency as a priority for Montenegro’s energy policy. EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa welcomed the investment, emphasizing its contribution to the healthcare system’s efficiency and the green agenda.

Sue Barrett noted the project’s potential to pave the way for similar investments in public buildings, bringing substantial benefits to both the public and the environment through improved energy performance and sustainability.

Since Montenegro joined the EBRD in 2006, the Bank has invested over €800 million in 86 projects, focusing on supporting competitiveness, the green transition, and regional and global market integration.