They manage to save up to 60 percent of electricity costs
The municipality of Breznički Hum in Varaždin County could serve as an example to many. This small municipality is very successful in using the EU funds and the energy efficiency tenders announced by the government. They invested in LED street lighting and in energy efficiency and saved tens of thousands of kuna, reports net.hr on March 18, 2016.
They have not used the budget surplus to buy a new car for the mayor. The city councillors have decided to put it to a better use. Earlier this week they have made a decision to financially assist families with small children, pupils and students. The municipality will also start disbursing a one-time financial assistance to parents of the newborns in the amount of 1,000 kuna for the first and second child, and 2,000 kuna for the third child in the family. It is a welcome measure in the municipality which has recorded continuous decrease in the number of residents during the past 40 years.
With the start of the new school year, in September 2016, the disbursement of scholarships will begin for high school and college students to assist them with their studies. By then, the municipality will establish a Commission for Scholarships and define the rules for potential users to qualify for scholarships. Besides the amount of money available, the scholarship sum will also depend on the number of applications.
“This is all due to investments in energy efficiency in the Breznički Hum municipality, which will save us significant resources after the implementation of the energy efficiency projects”, said Mayor Zoran Hegedić. Breznički Hum has in recent years implemented a dozen projects related to energy efficiency, through which all three local fire stations were equipped. They have also almost completely replaced all the street lighting with the LED technology.
The 90 percent of public lighting in Breznički Hum was involved in the project, and the municipality now saves up to 60 percent in electricity costs. They invested 350,000 kuna that they have received as a grant and will save about 80,000 kuna next year.
Fire department from Breznički Hum has submitted an application last year for energy efficiency project to the Ministry of Construction. Their application has been granted and they are now working on the installation of solar collectors on the roof of the municipal fire station for reheating the sanitary water and heating systems.
