With energy efficiency now at the core of EBRD operations, the Bank’s Annual Meeting brought together mayors from Belgrade in to Surgut in to discuss ways in which municipalities can cut energy costs and improve related services. Countless opportunities exist to do so, particularly in modernising district heating and public transport, the Mayors agreed. But what are the hurdles to achieving these aims? 

“Financing is the single most important issue in pushing for energy savings projects,” said the Mayor of Belgrade, Bojan Stanoyevich. “The municipality of Belgrade relied mainly on loans from international financial institutions to modernise its district heating system. Once services were improved, then tariffs increased. With a stronger budget, the municipality can now plan for more energy efficiency projects.”