MFK and Lipjan sign an agreement to bring investments in retrofitting apartment buildings in the municipality
Today, the Millennium Foundation of Kosovo (MFK), represented by Executive Director Petrit Selimi, reinforced its partnership with the Municipality of Lipjan, represented by Mayor Imri Ahmeti, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on the implementation of the Apartment Building Efficiency Retrofits (AER) project.
This MoU launches a project enabling over 20 million euros of investments across Kosovo in energy efficiency subsidies. The signing of the agreement today sets out principles and procedures to improve energy efficiency measures in the residential sector while taking proactive steps in providing technical assistance and financial support to make homes in this municipality more energy efficient.
Through AER Intervention, financial incentives will be provided to circa 700 apartment units in 7 different municipalities, to invest in energy efficiency measures, thus reducing the consumption of electricity for heating as well as increasing consumer awareness of energy-saving measures and their long-lasting benefits. AER retrofits include, but are not limited to: improving thermal insulation in outside walls and roofs; energy-efficient windows and/or external doors; weather sealing of common areas etc.
On this occasion, MFK CEO, Petrit Selimi, pointed out that: “MFK is happy to start this project in concrete terms with Lipjan municipality, a well managed municipality that was chosen in a process led by the World Bank. These investments will pave the way for a new concept of subsidies in Kosovo to help better energy efficiency of the housing stock”.
“MCC is glad to be witnessing this MOU which represents the enthusiastic partnership we have enjoyed from the start of our discussions with the Municipality of Lipjan. We look forward to seeing works begin soon to improve the comfort and efficiency of homes in Lipjan, as well as other municipality partners” stated the MCC Country Director, Sarah Olmstead.
On the other hand, the Mayor of the Municipality, Imri Ahmeti, considers the MFK’s investment to be essential for the citizens of the Municipality of Lipjan. ‘Energy efficiency retrofits will undoubtedly help save energy in apartment buildings, thus positively affecting the wellbeing of our citizens’ the mayor added.
Under the Subsidies for Energy Efficiency Kosovo (SEEK) project, Memorandums of Understanding will be signed with 6 other municipalities in Kosovo, including Prishtina, Gjakova, Mitrovica, Vitia, Gracanica and Novo Berde, with the aim to contribute towards reducing energy consumption through energy efficiency subsidies and other incentives.
SEEK is an activity valued at over 20 million euro, and is part of “Reliable Energy Landscape Project” (RELP), supported by Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), implemented by the MFK with its overarching objective to reduce the gap between energy demand and supply, through three main intervention packages: Household Efficiency Retrofits (HER); Apartment Building Efficiency Retrofits (AER), and Women Energy Entrepreneur (WEE).
