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Opinion of tools
Name of the case study
Municipal Energy Efficiency Programme, Municipality of Gabrovo
Name of tool
Ranking Criteria for Priority Assessment (RCPA)
Opinion of tool - argumentation for choosing the tool
The Municipal Council of Gabrovo took a political decision for developing the MEEP. The municipal technical experts took the decision for applying the RCPA tool in conformity with local characteristics and needs. The membership in EcoEnergy network and the EnEffect professional facilitated the adaptation of the tool.
EnEffect acts as the Network Secretariat, responsible for the management of the practical implementation of project activities. Project implementation is organised in accordance with UNDP (United Nation Development Programme) rules and procedures for the implementation of projects by NGOs.
The methodology is developed as an initiative of EnEffect and the Municipality of Gabrovo in order to overcome estimated general shortcomings at the municipal level:
(i) estimated low energy efficiency;
(ii) bad technical conditions of the sector infrastructure;
(iii) insufficiency of expertise in the field of energy efficiency.
EnEffect aims to apply the experience from this project in as many as possible Bulgarian municipalities.
The tool was developed to meet the specific needs of the energy sector in Gabrovo by adapting the existing international expert knowledge and skills.
The methodology was based on two previously developed European methodologies – ENSI (Energy Saving International – Norway and France) and NOVEM Agency of Energy and Environment (The Netherlands). During the project implementation in Gabrovo, international experts audited the results of the municipal programme implementation.
Opinion of tool - barriers for the tool implementation
The main problems in the tool implementation were:
• low awareness on energy efficiency issues in the municipalities;
• general lack of continuity after political changes in local elections.
The barriers to using other tools were rooted in the specific conditions in Bulgarian municipalities: lack of adequate experience and skills, regulatory or financial constraints, and absence of mechanisms for rapid and easy exchange of information.
Opinion of tool - assessment by tool users
Measurable improvements as a result of the tool implementation were:
• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions after implementation of the programme;
• Reduction of energy consumption;
• Improvement in the quality of the urban environment (increased share of lighted public spaces at night, increased temperature comfort in schools, etc.)
The effects of the programme and tool implementation are: 3.6 times less consumption of energy in the city; considerable reduction of GHG emissions; and at the same time - higher quality of life for the community.
Unintended consequences or spin offs as a result of the tools use were:
• The implementation of the programme and the established mechanisms for overcoming the different barriers were the reasons for change in the national regulations.
• The ´tailored´ proactive approach developed by EnEffect could be considered effective in overcoming possible future unintended consequences.
General view on the tool:The described tool (RCPA) and its methodology of integrated energy planning in municipalities are consistent with the particular current conditions in Bulgaria. They could be successfully applied in other CEE countries from the region after being adapted to the local context and available information and taking into account specific decision making processes. The implementation of the Municipal Energy Efficiency Programme provides for a good combination of long-term goals and visible short-term effects. The implementation of the programme supposes actions with clear results that should be integrally considered.
Potential for further use of the tool: The tool has been successfully implemented in many municipalities in CEE countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Croatia and Serbia). The integrated approach is appropriate for other infrastructural sectors.
Use of the tool in other cases:
• The EcoEnergy Network maintains active international contacts. It has established good collaboration with the countries of Southeast Europe and with the European network Energie-cites (headquarters in Besancon, France);
• building on the experience of the network and with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, a Municipal Network for Energy Efficiency (MUNEE) is being implemented with the participation of almost all countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union;
• A Regional Network for Efficient Use of Energy and Water Resources (RENEUER) has been set up in Southeast Europe.
Actors´ view on the tool:
• The Municipal administration of Gabrovo considers the tool comprehensive and providing for the transparency of the process, as it guarantees that MEEP could be easily implemented;
• Experts meet difficulties with database collection and multidisciplinary dialogue.
Opinion of tool - reviewer\'s assessment
The RCPA tool:
i) integrates environmental, social and economic considerations and helps to formulate priorities at the municipal level;
ii) relies on clear quantitative indicators (already being measured at the urban level in Bulgaria) that are used to assess the existing situation and changes towards or away from sustainability;
iii) promotes broad public participation, thus increasing community awareness about energy efficiency issues.
The most important feature of MEEP is its proactive approach and the opportunity to build a shared vision on the actions needed. Possible schemes of private business involvement have been discussed to give:
• clarification of the municipalities´ relations with private business;
• providing further support for public participation in the decision-making process;
• defining crossing points with other urban infrastructure sectors;
• urban aspects to be further discussed in more detail.
What tools were used to assess sustainability?
Ranking Criteria for Priority Assessment (RCPA)
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