Grant Agreement IEE/07/Agencies/489/SI2.499572

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN COUNTY OF MARAMURES (RO) AMEMM Grant Agreement IEE/07/Agencies/489/SI2.499572 Duration: 1 August 2009-31 July 2012 The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

2. Background • Maramures region is a former non-ferrous metal mining area heavily affected by water, air and soil pollution • Even after the closure of the mining activities and connected industry, the population and environment still suffer the effects of historical pollution • Lesson learnt: damages caused by human activities take a lot of time and effort to remediate • The region needs to grow out of the habit of accepting an unhealthy environment for its citizens and take action to bring back the green landscapes of Maramuresby taking care of its natural resources and turning it into a sustainable region • Remember: Every single action make a difference to the global environmental problems

3. Premises • There is significant unused potential in the region to replace energy from fossil fuels with energy from renewable sources: • large areas of forests covering about 2.890 km2 (45.9%) • rivers and lakes: dense river system totaling over 3000 km • Romania has one of the highest energy intensity in Europe: • primary energy intensity is 3.1 bigger than EU-25 average • final energy intensity is 3.3 bigger than EU-25 average. • The national potential for energy savings in the residential sector as percentage of the consumption is 41.5%.

4. Summary • Maramures County Council created, with the support of Intelligent Energy Europe, a regional energy management agency as an opportunity and necessity for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources at county level • Total Budget: 317.670 Euro, of which: • EU Grant: 238.252 Euro (75%) • County Council: 79.418 Euro (25%) • Legal Status: NGO • Target Groups: • Local Authorities • Population • SME’s • Teachers, students • Home owner associations

5. Objectives • Promote the sustainable energy concept and energy management principles at the level of the local authorities, education, health institutions, businesses • Transpose at local, regional level the Community acquis of the European energy policy • Help the local authorities formulate and implement energy strategies and policies • Increase and monitor the energy efficiency of public buildings • Encourage the introduction on the local market of the renewable and energy efficiency technologies • Change the mentality and behavior of energy users • Promote the local interests at regional, national, European and international level and attract funding for energy and climate change projects • Promote the existing funding mechanisms (national programs, FREE, BERD, European funds etc.)

6. Activities • Promotion of energy production from renewable sources and implementation of concrete projects • Promotion of energy efficiency in buildings and implementation of concrete projects • Energy and climate change awareness campaigns targeted at the general public, businesses or schools • Provisionof energy and carbon saving advice and energy educational programmes • Transfer of information, experience, good practices, and know-how with energy related organisations

7. Activities Peer review in Maramures 1-4 September 2009 Objective: obtain advice based on the review of the local energy context for the development of a regional energy strategy • Day 1: Seminar with all relevant stakeholders • Day 2: Field visit - hydropower potential • Day 3: Field visit - forestry biomass potential • Day 4: Internal discussions on report preparation Result: peer review report available at: www.amemm.ro

8. Activities Energy Planning Regional level • Database of energy indicators • Regional Energy Master Plan Electricity consumption in 2009 by type of consumer Local level • SEAP for Baia Mare Municipality (under Covenant of Mayors)

9. Activities Renewable Energy in Public Buildings Replacement of old heating system on natural gas with heat pumps and solar thermal collectors • Installed thermal power of heat pumps: 861.5 kW • Installed thermal power of solar collectors: 24.2 kW • Energy consumption reduction: 57.34% • Total investment: 150 000 Euro

10. Activities Energy awareness campaign “Saving energy we give life a chance” 1-5 June 2010 • Movie projection – over 1000 participants • Launching of the book “Mara “loves life” • Energy efficiency seminars • Bicycle contest • Video clip

11. Results • Energy planning at urban and regional level • Inventory of energy consumption and production • Increased share of renewable energy at county level • More energy efficient buildings • Reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions • More energy educated citizens and institutions • Increased energy & climate change awareness • Networking and co-operations • Potential success factors: strong support and interest from the local authorities, involvement of the public, namely the participation of citizens, teachers, students to the Agency’s activities • Difficulties that may be encountered: lack of initiative of the public authorities, lack of incentives for the people to stimulate investment in RES

12. Partners Founding Partners: Maramures County Council Baia Mare Municipality Maramures County Office for Consumer Protection Development Centre for Small and Medium Size Enterprises Foundation S.C. Electricity Distribution & Supply Subsidiary Baia Mare Development Center for Renewable Energies North University of Baia Mare EcoLogic Association S.C. Urbis Transport Local S.A. National Administration Romanian Waters Somes – Tisa Department Maramures County Inspectorate of Education Supporting Partners: Environmental Protection Agency of Maramures Romanian Agency for Energy Conservation

13. Contact Adina Dumitru Director AMEMM Str. Gh. Sincai 46, room 19-21 Baia Mare, Romania Tel/Fax: + 40 362 401665 adina.dumitru@amemm.ro www.amemm.ro