Regions working together to deliver sustainable energy

1. The Province of Milan and European Networking: New Ideas for Economic Change Regions working together to deliver sustainable energy Bruna Brembilla, Councillor for Environment

2. The Context

3. The Target The Provincial Energy Efficiency Programme Reduce final consumption by 1% per year – in line with the European Directive on Energy Services no. 32, approved 5 April 2006 Halve energy consumption for new and renovated buildings and install, by 2010, 50,000 m2 of thermal solar collectors for domestic hot water production and install 1,000 kW of photovoltaic systems on provincial facilities Activate private investments for Energy Efficiency measures and renewable energy sources Prevent annually the emission into the atmosphere of 130,000 tonnes of CO2

4. The Method Based on knowledge, understanding and consensus. • Knowledge & identification of best practices. Set up of working groups, meetings, seminars among Fedarene members with same willingness. • Evaluate the possibilities and the conditions to transfer and adapt the experiences • 3. Set up of working groups with local Communities to design and fit the different tools (building regulations, energy certification, energy InfoPoints, financial mechanisms, etc.) • Working groups set up with Higher Administrative Levels and with main Stakeholders for the establishment of an Energy Pact 5. Public Fora at territorial level open to the public to discuss initiatives for energy efficiency

5. The Tools The Provincial Energy EfficiencyAction Plan for Buildings The New Building Regulations and Certification, aimed at halving energy consumption in new and refurbished buildings and increase awareness of energy consumption and market transparency. The Energy InfoPoints to spread information and best practice on energy saving and renewable energy opportunities. The Accreditation System for Building Certifiers - Sacert - in order to guarantee qualified and independent certifiers. The public-private partnership to provide Zero-Rate Bank Loans, with interest shared by the Provincia and the Banks for energy efficiency retrofits on existing buildings. The Energy Observatory for monitoring, analysis and the provision of feedback.

6. The Building Regulations Building Orientation Sistema per l’accreditamento dei Certificatori Edilizi Check that the building energy certifiers: - possess the legal requirements - possess professional competence - be independent Control the certification procedure via an inspection system High Efficiency Boilers Thermal Insulation Solar ThermalCollectors Mechanical Ventilation Window Performance Rainwater Recovery

7. From “Guichet Energie” to “InfoEnergia” Objectives and Tasks To inform and assist the public on energy saving, financing, regulations and technical fulfilments. To help the public in relationships with the service staff and inspectors of heating systems, building certification ... To advise the Municipalities on the reduction of energy consumption and costs. To increase technical competence concerning energy amongst those in the field.

8. Public-Private Partnership for Zero-Rate Bank Loans: Picardie Avantage Isolation Objectifs: 30 % d’économies d’énergieUne réduction des factures de chauffage grâce à l’isolation de la toiture et des combles. Environ 300 euros /an d’économies en moyenne sur la facture de chauffage. Bénéficiaires Picardie Avantage Isolation s’adresse à tous les propriétaires occupants ou bailleurs de maisons individuelles, d’appartements ou d’immeubles bâtis* dans les départements de l’Aisne, de l’Oise et de la Somme. 0% d’intérêtUne opération « indolore » grâce à une période de remboursement pouvant aller jusqu’à 84 mois. Mutuo a-profittoEstablishment of a public/private Partnership to provide contributions in the form of an interest free account. Valid interventions: insulation, innovative equipment, renewable energy sources, new energy technologies. Loans from 2,500 to 50,000 €. Maximum repayment period: 7 years. Beneficiaries: Home/Flats Owners, Condominia. One million Euro allocated in order to cover 50% of interest costs and another million Euro made available from the Banks to cover the remaining 50% interest costs

9. Results The Regional Authority has extended the “New Building Regulations” - so far adopted by 65 Municipalities in the area covered by the Province of Milan - to the whole of Lombardy. The Region has also recognised the over 500 “Building Energy Certificators” certified by Sacert. These have been inserted in the regional Registry. 8 Energy InfoPoints have been opened to the public and others are planned for 2008 The Province has completed an experimental phase for the Zero-Rate Bank Loans. The first 300,000+300,000 €, are producing investments up to 6 million Euro.A second call has been closed establishing new partnerships (500,000+500,000 €) with expected investmentsup to other 10 Million €. An Energy Observatory has been established to monitor results more accurately in terms of Primary Energy and Green House Gases avoided.

10. Lessons learned & Tips Our evaluation is positive, good pptential to reach the targets Remaining barriers: Legal framework not yet assessed Need to gain the trust of the financial institutions Banks have strict internal rools and rigidadministrative systems Training is still insufficient at all level Tips A bottom-up approach seems essential. Working within european associations (as Fedarene) may be the “trump card” to start and strengthen co-operation Local Banks are more proficient in public-private partnerships: the knowledge of their areas prevent bad loans Don’t underestimate the time and the cost of training for staff

11. Thank you for your attention! http://www.provincia.milano.it