Energy KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

The Polish energy programme focused on energy efficiency in public buildings and the private industry, but several projects included renewable energy measures as well. The programme reduced CO2 emissions by 490 000 tonnes/year. Most of these reductions are from the private industry component. These projects have lowered the carbon footprint of power plants, heating stations and other industrial facilities. They have also improved air quality in surrounding areas through the reduction of dust and pollution particles.

Urban climate change adaptation strategies have been developed for the cities of Prague, Brno and Plzeň in the Czech Republic and for Bratislava in Slovakia. These help fulfil requirements under the EU Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (EUAS) and the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. The implementation period of the Grants have overlapped with the 2013 adoption of EUAS. This means the Grants have played a central role in shaping adaptation priorities in the respective countries.

In Portugal, 27 local adaptation strategies were developed. In addition, 230 municipal officers were trained on the development of local adaptation strategies, vulnerability assessments and use of climate change scenarios. The trainings succeeded in mainstreaming adaptation into local planning processes. This capacity building activity is being replicated under the EU Cohesion Fund, using guidance documents developed under the Grants.

In Hungary, the renewable energy programme carried out capacity building and education of professionals, with a special focus on geothermal energy. In partnership with the National Energy Authority (OS) of Iceland, the programme organised short courses on geothermal energy for Hungarian university students and a geothermal workshop for local government officials.

In Romania, we funded the development of two local geothermal heat plants. The Ilfov hospital heat plant and the Oradea heat plant generate around 10 000 Mwh/year in heat for its patients and local residents, respectively. In addition to lowering CO2 emissions, the plants also reduce heating costs.

These educational activities increase awareness and knowledge about climate change, in an effort to mainstream climate change as a priority for younger generations.

In Slovakia, 271 small-scale adaptation projects were implemented on school grounds to complement classroom curricula.

In Portugal, 30 schools across the country focused on teaching climate change issues using online media platforms and school competitions, both with EEA Grants funding.

In Spain, the enterprise Alstom developed a new type of water turbine for producing electricity, which is twice as powerful as the traditional turbines in the same field. Prototypes of the turbine are already in use in Norway and Turkey. Read more about the project here.