Thermal upgrade in Sopot

The Municipality of Sopot is implementing a project of comprehensive thermal upgrade of public buildings. The initiatives of the Municipality aim to utilize the energy saving potential of the local municipal entities. It is a hybrid project – implemented within a formula of public-and-private partnership and co-financed with the funds from the European Union.

What will be created and when?

The planned enterprise will include 25 educational and childcare facilities in Sopot (schools, nursery schools, the Dom Dziecka orphanage, Music School, the Youth Culture Club [Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury], the Sopot Art Club [Sopockie Ognisko Plastyczne]). In all the buildings the Energy Management System will be installed, and also the interior lighting replaced with the energy-saving option, Renewable Energy Sources will also be installed: in 17 buildings – photovoltaic panels and in 2 buildings – solar energy systems, 11 buildings will undergo an extensive thermal upgrade (the remaining buildings received a thermal upgrade in the past). Construction work will last for two years, until 31 October 2019, and will be conducted mainly during the holiday season.

Energy Management System – how does it work?

The Energy Management System will facilitate a remote temperature reading in the specific rooms of the building, followed by the ability to control the heating system in such a way as to ensure the required indoor temperature is maintained; while it is being used, for example in a classroom, the minimum temperature during lessons will not be allowed to drop below 20^oC, in the sports hall below 16^oC, in the bathroom below 24^oC, and outside of the working hours the temperature will be dropped automatically to 14^oC.

The financing method of the project (hybrid, ESCO formula)

The project will be implemented by a private partner, selected in a public procurement process for the period of 15 years (2 years for the implementation of the construction phase and 13/14 years for the stage of management and maintenance of the Energy Management System). The designated private partner is a company from the ESCO sector (Energy Service Company) that offers energy-related services. The remuneration for the accomplished construction work will be transferred to the partner in successive instalments over the period of 13/14 years and will partially originate from the financial savings generated as a result of the reduction in energy use in the buildings. Part of the remuneration for the private partner will also stem from the EU funds, as the City received co-financing in the amount of PLN 9.89 million for this project as part of the Regional Operational Programme for the years 2014-2020. It should be noted that the private partner guarantees heat and electricity savings, and in the event of the said guaranteed savings not being accomplished, the partner undertakes to pay the difference to the City’s budget. Solutions of that kind will allow for the whole investment to be seamlessly financed from the City’s budget.

Ecological consequences

A significant ecological consequence of the implementation of the project will be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gasses into the environment by 771.31 tonnes of Carbon dioxide annually and a reduction in primary energy use by more than 3 million kWh per annum. The implemented solutions will assist in maintaining the very high air quality levels in Sopot.

Energy saving = financial saving

The result of the conducted thermal upgrade work, installation of Renewable Energy Sources and of the Energy Management System will be a 51.6% reduction in energy use. The result of the replacement of the interior lighting with the energy-saving alternative will be a reduction in the consumption of electrical energy by 68.1%.

A significant improvement in living comfort for children and youth.

As a consequence of the project’s implementation, there will be an increase in daily comfort for the young learners, their parents and teachers who use the facilities – in the classrooms and nursery schools, the adequate temperature and ventilation levels will be maintained, and the lighting will follow the required norms and standards. Additionally, the Municipality of Sopot is going to immediately improve its aesthetics and will be assisted in preserving the historical nature of its buildings.