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Description
Within the framework of the GR-ENERGY Project, the Municipality of Farsala implemented modern Energy Saving and Renewable Energy technologiess at the Municipal Cultural Centre. The primary objective was both to upgrade the building’s energy performance to Energy Class B+ and to establish a model Environmental Education Park in the surrounding outdoor area.
The Cultural Centre serves as the main cultural infrastructure of the municipality, hosting a wide range of daily activities, including cultural events, educational programs, and guided tours, which aim to promote the region’s cultural heritage, literature, and the arts. Through this initiative, the municipality strengthens the sustainability of its public infrastructure and enhances public awareness of energy efficiency and sustainable development.
The building interventions included:
Installation of roof insulation
Insulation of the building envelope
Replacement of conventional lighting with LED technology
Installation of energy-efficient window frames with double glazing
Installation of a Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
Installation of a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 20 kWp
In addition, a Model Environmental Education Park was developed in the courtyard of the Cultural Centre. Designed to align with the natural environment, the park includes:
An electric vehicle charging station
A photovoltaic canopy station
Autonomous solar-powered lighting
This project has resulted in the creation of an educational and demonstrative space that promotes awareness of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and energy efficiency among residents and visitors. It highlights the municipality’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the dissemination of green practices within the local community.
Summary of project results
The project was completed successfully with no significant implementation challenges, except for a notable increase in the cost of materials and equipment compared to the initial budget estimates. This cost escalation was attributed to the broader energy crisis, which had a widespread impact on construction and energy retrofit pricing across Europe.
As a result, additional financial resources were required in the middle of implementation to fulfill the originally defined targets and commitments of the Project Promoter, as specified in the Inclusion Decision. The issue was formally acknowledged, and a request for additional funding was submitted to secure the achievement of the project''s predefined objectives and performance indicators.
In the end, 100% of the Project’s physical object was completed, following all legal procedures and within the framework of the EEA Grants 2014–2021 programme.
The Project of the Municipality of Farsala, under the GR-ENERGY Programme, included the following sub-projects:
- Sub-Project 1: Energy Upgrade of the Farsala Cultural Centre.
- Sub-Project 2: Supply and installation of measuring equipment at the Cultural Center.
- Sub-Project 3: Standard dissemination actions of the project results in Central Greece.
- Sub-Project 4: Provision of services for project implementation monitoring and the certification of the project results.
- Sub-Project 5: Supportive Actions for the Energy Upgrade of the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Farsala in the Courtyard Area.
In addition, in the context of strengthening the bilateral relations of the Municipality of Farsala with partners from the Donor Countries, a visit to the premises of the Icelandic National Energy Authority in Reykjavik (Orkustofnun) was carried out in September 2024 to transfer know-how and good practices in the field of green energy transition. Bilateral cooperation actions were carried out and a report was drawn up assessing the know-how transferred and describing specific results and ways of exploitation by the Municipality of Farsala.
The project has been successful in achieving the following key outcomes:
Incentivizing Sustainable Practices: The implementation of innovative, demonstrative interventions in a high-traffic public building, along with the development of a model environmental education park, serves as a strong incentive for both infrastructure users and the wider local community to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Enhancing Quality of Life: The interventions significantly improved the indoor environmental and lighting conditions of the facility, thereby enhancing the quality of services offered and supporting the delivery of cultural and community-based activities.
Reducing Energy Consumption and CO₂ Emissions: Through the GR-ENERGY Programme, the Municipality of Farsala successfully upgraded a public building to a model Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB). This resulted in a substantial reduction in the building’s energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall environmental footprint.
Addressing Social and Economic Inequalities: By upgrading a public facility that serves all residents, the project contributes to reducing social and economic disparities through equal access to high-quality, energy-efficient infrastructure.
Therefore, the project contributes to the improvement of the quality of life for the residents of the area, saving resources and creating incentives for modern green energy transition technologies for buildings.