The City of Banja Luka hosted ‘Energy Days 2012’ from 18 to 20 April 2012. This the second time that this event dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy is organised and held in Banja Luka under this year’s slogan „Banja Luka u korak sa Evropom“.

The aim of the event was to raise public awareness on sustainable energy and energy efficiency, promote ‘green’ entrepreneurship and clever use of energy, improve cooperation between the private and public sectors, promote the potential of using renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency in buildings, industry and transport, exchange of knowledge and experience in implementation of projects, attract potential investors from the region and the EU, promote the City of Banja Luka as the future city of sustainable energy, and establish new contacts and partnerships for future projects.

The EU funded project “Support to BiH to meet the requirements of the Energy Community Treaty with special focus on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DELTER)” held a whole day of activities on the 19 April 2012 within the ‘Energy Days’ in Banja Luka. The aim was to gather higher level administration of all BiH municipalities, which are actively participating in the project and receiving regular training on energy management of their municipalities. More than 20 Mayors and Deputy Mayors from BiH municipalities took part in these activities. The project experts gave presentation on various subjects in the area of energy efficiency.

Johann Hesse, Head of Operations Section for the Economic Development, Natural Resources and Infrastructure in the EU Delegation to BiH, was one of the key speakers at the Conference organised by the City of Banja Luka within ‘Energy Days 2012’ on 20 April 2012.

On this occasion Mr. Hesse said: “Energy efficiency and renewable energy has to be seen in the context of our commitment in the EU to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to 80-95% below the 1990 levels. These are ambitious targets. We are pleased to see that BiH is on board to meet these targets. BiH has submitted a very good draft National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. We welcome the good cooperation between Entities and State in this regard”.

The EU funds DELTER from the Instrument for Pre–Accession Assistance (IPA 2007 and 2008 budget) in the amount of 2,500,000.00 EUR. Additionally 400.000 EUR have been made available from the IPA 2008 budget. The aim of this project is to increase energy efficiency in public buildings.