Central European Development Forum CEDEF in cooperation with the Energy Efficiency Agency of Serbia, under the auspices of Ceresit company, regarding March 5th, World Energy Efficiency Day and UN year of “Sustainable Energy for All”, is holding conference

March 5th – World Energy Efficiency Day

March 5th, 11h

Media Center, Terazije Street 3, Belgrade

In February of 2012 Serbia and the region were faced with the historical record in power consumption due to severe winter wave of cold and snow. Our country was forced to import more electricity than anticipated, and we were faced with the possibility of power cuts. The energy system has responded to the challenge that it faced, but it is now more clearly than ever that the current energy regime structure and power consumption is unsustainable, environmentaly as well as econimically.

Given that the rational use of energy and greater use of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, energy efficiency is of great economic importance. According to EU Climate Commissioner, Europe's last year's energy import bill for oil alone rose to 315 billion euros, a figure that equates to a significant part of Greece's debt. By investing in energy efficiancy this bill would be reduced, while at the same time new jobs would be created – it would create need for inovation in constructioning, better insulation of buildings, installing solar panels and the like. Therefore, sustainable development must be brought from the margins of the economy to the mainstream of the global economic debate.

Serbian economy is even two or three times more energy demanding than the EU. Investments in renewable energy sources are necessary to reduce dependence on thermal power, which requires a systemic approach. Meanwhile, households and individuals can also contribute a lot to energy efficiency. Researches have shown that buildings in Serbia have either very poor or no insulation and inefficient heating. For example, over half of households in Serbia use 340 kWh/m2 for heating, which is about 4 times above Western Europe average. Most energy is spent on room heating, but much of energy is lost through walls, roofs, through the ground, windows and doors. Better thermal insulation is the solution.

Investing in better insulation for many households is excessive financial outlay, but this investment is very payable in the long run. In addition, each individual can save where much is spent, and where it is possible. One can use water rationally, replace the ordinary with energy saving light bulbs, use public transport or bicycle, walk for short distances instead of driving car, switch to a more efficiant way of heating. When buying new appliances check whether and how energy-efficient they are. If everyone did this, we would save a lot of energy and our pockets, also.

Turn off unnecessary lights! If all citizens of Serbia stood up, approached the switch and turn off a single light bulb for a day, it would save from 3000 to 6000 tons of coal a day.

Within the conference there will be held award ceremony for the best media coverage on the topic: “Insulation in Buildings and Energy Efficiency” as the part of journalist competition that CEDEF has organized in cooperation with the Serbia Energy Efficiency Agency and Ceresit Company.

Speakers at the Conference:

- mr Bojan Kovačić,  Serbia Energy Efficiency Agency

- Jelka Jovanović, Vice president of NUNS

- Jovan Šarenac, Henkel Ceresit

- Jovanka Arsić-Karišić, Chairman of the Board, CEDEF