Energy efficiency measures in the business support centre - library "Sala" of Aloja county

Project facts

Project promoter:
Aloja county council
Project Number:
LV02-0004
Target groups
Bodies providing guidance, counselling and information services related to education/training
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€891,383
Final project cost:
€891,383
From EEA Grants:
€ 614,764
The project is carried out in:
Vidzeme

Description

Ungurpils village of Aloja parish Aloja county is the third biggest place of the county but the only where there is no local government-owned buildings or premises. The only Ungurpils-based local institution is Ungurpils library, which is located in a two-room flat and where penetration is not possible to provide people with physical disabilities, as well as to meet the accreditation requirements of the library and the increasing needs of public libraries as lifelong learning, remote work and consultation centre. There are no adequate premises the municipality could rent or buy a property at Ungurpils. The aim of the project is to demonstrate energy efficient passive house from environmentally friendly CO2 neutral materials as a solution for municipality buildings with heat consumption less than 15 kWh/m2 per year in the building of business support centre – library “SALA” of Aloja county, and promoting public knowledge and understanding of the development of climate change.

Summary of project results

Ungurpils village of Aloja parish Aloja county is the third biggest place of the county, there was no local government owned buildings or premises. Ungurpils library was located in a two-room flat, inaccessible for people with physical disabilities. Besides that, the increasing needs of public libraries as lifelong learning, remote work and consultation centre had to be to fulfil. The aim of the project was to demonstrate energy efficient passive house from environmentally friendly CO2 neutral materials as a solution for municipality buildings with heat consumption less than 15 kWh/m2 per year in the building of business support centre – library “SALA” of Aloja county, and promoting public knowledge and understanding of the development of climate change. Aloja municipality is one of the first in Latvia, which has started low-energy building construction and uses a wood as the main material in the construction of public buildings. Result of the project: a new building with a total heated area of 526.2 m2, during the operation the heat energy consumption of heated space area shall not exceed 12.9 kWh /m2 per year. Within the project, two conferences and seminar was organized. Implementation of the project created a business support infrastructure that will be used for existing and new business development, community activation. Since the SALA opening, it has occurred a number of cultural events, including concerts, film evenings, exhibitions and workshops. Various specialist consultations are also provided.

Summary of bilateral results

Project partner Valer municipality in Norway participated in publicity events and provided consultations on energy efficiency during construction. building site at Ungurpils and involved in a conversation with builders about technologies and construction materials applied in the object. Aloja municipality delegation participated in an experience exchange trip to Volera municipality. The purpose of the trip was to get to know Norwegian experience in constructing energy-efficient buildings and controlling this process. Also, delegation tried to find out how local people are motivated to use eco-friendly materials and heating technologies in the construction of buildings, and the impact of these activities on the budget. Special attention was focused on Norwegian good practice examples. The delegation visited several municipality' and local companies’ buildings, which are built as low-energy constructions. It is planned to build a long-term cooperation between municipalities.