Energy efficiency in buildings is a key priority for Slovakia in meeting climate goals and sustainable development. However, the state of public buildings in the country still shows significant shortcomings that hinder progress in this area.

The state of public buildings in Slovakia

There are approximately 15,000 public buildings in Slovakia, with up to 75% of them (over 11,000) requiring extensive renovation. These buildings are often energy inefficient due to outdated building materials, insufficient insulation and old heating systems. The problem concerns not only administrative buildings, but also schools, hospitals and other facilities that are crucial for the functioning of society.

According to the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the pace of renovation of public buildings in the years 2020 to 2023 reached only 1.9 % per year, which is far below the requirements of the European Union. Through the Energy Efficiency Directive, the latter sets an obligation to renovate at least 3 % of the total floor area of state-owned buildings each year.

Energy intensity and its impacts

The energy inefficiency of these buildings has several negative impacts:

• High operating costs: Public buildings consume excessive amounts of energy for heating, cooling and lighting, which increases the financial burden on the state budget.
• Greenhouse gas emissions: A large proportion of public buildings still use outdated fossil fuel-based technologies, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
• Insufficient comfort: Old and inefficient heating and cooling systems do not provide optimal conditions for employees and users of these buildings, affecting their productivity and comfort.

Recovery plan and its objectives

The Slovak government is aware of the urgency of the situation and has taken several measures to address this problem. The Recovery and Resilience Plan, which is financed from European resources, includes concrete steps to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings.

The government has set a target of renovating 3 % of the floor area of buildings owned by central government bodies by 2024. This target includes the renovation of approximately 53,494 m² of floor area. The renovation is to focus on:

• Improving thermal insulation: Replacement of windows, doors and insulation of walls and roofs.
• Modernization of heating systems: Installation of energy-efficient boilers, heat pumps and solar systems.
• Reducing the energy consumption of lighting: Switching to LED technology and installing intelligent lighting systems.

Challenges in implementing measures

Despite the adopted plans, Slovakia faces several obstacles:

1. Lack of financial resources: While the Recovery Plan provides some support, the scale of the investments needed exceeds the available funding.
2. Poor coordination: Effective implementation of the restoration requires cooperation between state institutions, local governments and experts.
3. Lack of experts: Slovakia faces a shortage of qualified workers in the construction and energy sectors, which is slowing down the implementation of projects.

Long-term benefits of energy renewal

Successful modernization of public buildings could bring several benefits:

• Cost savings: Reducing energy consumption could save millions of euros per year in operating costs.
• Emission reduction: The transition to green technologies would significantly contribute to meeting Slovakia's climate goals.
• Improving living comfort: Quality buildings would provide better conditions for employees and the public.

The energy inefficiency of public buildings in Slovakia is a serious problem that requires a systematic approach. The implementation of the measures contained in the Renovation Plan can be a key step towards improving the situation, but long-term cooperation and strategic investments will also be needed to achieve real change. Spring