PUBLIC PROCUREMENT NEWS

  

News

20 January 2015

Koprivnica becomes first Croatian city to carry out public procurement of renewable energy

The City of Koprivnica (Croatia) has chosen to procure electricity produced from renewable sources, greatly reducing the carbon footprint of public institutions in the city. The move marks the first public procurement of renewable electricity in the history of Croatia. Green energy is currently used to power primary and secondary schools, universities, and street lighting, in addition to city-owned buildings.

The use of renewable energy is estimated to save 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions per year compared to conventionally produced energy, contributing to Croatia’s obligations to reduce CO2 output under terms of its EU membership. As a member of the Covenant of Mayors, the decision to procure more environmentally-friendly electricity also goes towards the commitment to lower emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020.

The city was aided with the technical aspects of procuring renewable energy by the PRIMES project, an EU-funded initiative that seeks to provide hands-on support for public purchasing organisations to implement green public purchasing in six European countries: Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, France and Italy. Additional support was provided by the Regional Energy Agency North, and UNDP Croatia.

For more information, read the PRIMES newsletter.