(hereinafter: SolariKA) is the City of Karlovac (with its registered office at Ivana Banjavčića 9, 47000 Karlovac). The project partner is an institution from the donor country (Norway), Energy Farm International Foundation, EFIF.
Recognizing the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources and the possibility of development based on the principles of energy sustainability, the City of Karlovac joined the EU initiative Covenant of Mayors. The Covenant of Mayors is an initiative launched in January 2008 with the aim of connecting energy-conscious European cities into a permanent network for the purpose of continuous exchange of experiences in energy-sustainable urban development. As a result of consultations on the future of the Covenant of Mayors initiative and the establishment of a new version of the Covenant as Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in October 2015, the Energy Sustainable Development Action Plan (SEAP) was upgraded to a new version of the plan. Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). SECAP focuses on the long-term impacts of climate change on the local community, takes into account energy efficiency and provides measurable targets and results related to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The main goal of SECAP is to achieve that the proposed measures result in a reduction of CO2 emissions by more than 40% by 2030. By accepting SECAP at the City Council session as the official implementation document, the City began preparing and implementing a range of projects in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The implementation of the SolariKA project would directly contribute to the goals of SECAP, ie the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Among the implemented projects of the City, special emphasis is placed on encouraging individuals to renovate apartment buildings, encouraging individuals to install renewable energy systems and encouraging integrated energy renovation of public institutions. It is necessary to emphasize the successful implementation of EU projects on energy efficiency: PrioritEE – Interreg Mediterranean Program, BhENEFIT – Interreg Central Europe Program, ENTRAIN – Interreg Central Europe Program, REPLACE – Horizon 2020 Program.
In the development of the project idea in question, the Applicant made a problem analysis where he identified existing problems in the context of the topic of this Call and created mutual relations and based on that set the objectives of the project proposal.
- Cause 1: Global increase in electricity prices in the market
- Consequence 1: Increase in electricity costs to end users
- Cause 2: Dependence on taking over electricity from the distribution grid
- Consequence 2: Inability to mitigate the risk of rising market prices of electricity while maintaining a stable supply to end users
Key problem: Energy dependence of public institutions owned by the City of Karlovac, especially in the context of electricity and the use of public infrastructure (distribution grid).
The subject of the SolariKA project proposal
is the implementation of 14 pilot projects, ie the construction of solar power plants for the purpose of self-consumption at the locations of the following properties:
Prior to the implementation
of the measures envisaged by this project proposal, the reference annual electricity consumption (2019) in these properties is almost 735 MWh, which is entirely electricity taken from the distribution grid. With the implementation of infrastructural activities of this project proposal, ie the construction of solar power plants – the carbon footprint will be lower by 72,38 tCO2 / year.
The SolariKA project addresses the problem of the relatively low share of energy produced by solar power plants in Croatia. Until 2018, the total capacity of solar power plants connected to the distribution network was about 50 MW. After the amendments to the Law on Renewable Energy Sources and High-Efficiency Cogeneration in December 2018 (defined billing models for households and entrepreneurs – net-metering and net-billing) to date – the situation is somewhat better and according to DSO data- there is total of 3 334 solar power plants connected to the distribution grid, with a total installed capacity of 124 MW. Further growth of the installed capacity of solar power plants in Croatia is expected due to the newly adopted Electricity Market Act and the (soon to be adopted) Renewable Energy Sources and High-Efficiency Cogeneration Act, which introduces new institutes such as energy communities, aggregators and the like.
The SolariKA project also directly addresses the problem of dependence on supply and rising electricity costs in real estate that is the subject of infrastructure activities. The SolariKA project also directly contributes to achieving the national goals described in the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030 with a view to 2050 (OG 25/2020), the Long-Term Strategy for the Renovation of the National Building Fund until 2050 (OG 140/2020), low-carbon development of the Republic of Croatia until 2030 with a view to 2050 (OG 63/2021) and other national strategies and plans related to energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change.
The primary target groups of the SolariKA project are the owners and users of real estate on which infrastructure activities are carried out and the City of Karlovac as an institution of responsibility for the efficient management of the city budget and institution costs. The secondary target group consists of general citizens whose goal, through this project, is to raise awareness about the use of renewable energy sources. Promotional activities will provide quality access to project information to all target groups.
The following is the strategy / vertical logic of the project in line with the goal of the Low Carbon Energy and Increased Security of Supply Program. The general and specific objectives of the project have been identified:
General goal: To increase the use of renewable energy sources at the locations of 14 properties in the use of institutions of the City of Karlovac.
Specific objective: implementation of Activities Increasing solar energy production and reducing annual CO2 emissions and Activities Increasing installed capacities for solar energy production (integrated photovoltaic power plants) through the implementation of 14 pilot projects. The construction of 14 solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 0.45 MWp will produce 456.35 MWh of green energy and will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 72.38 t / year.
The project proposal will achieve the following results:
– Outcome 2: Increased production of energy from renewable sources
– Output 2.1: Installed capacity for the use of energy from renewable sources
– Output 2.2: Strengthened capacities for management and promotion of energy from renewable sources
– Bilateral output 1: Increased cooperation between entities in the beneficiary country and donor countries
The applicant will achieve the identified outcomes and outputs by implementing 17 elements of project activities (EA):
• EA1 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Four Rivers, Dubovac branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 8.1 kWp on the roof of Kindergarten Four Rivers, Dubovac branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 10.26 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 7.75 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 75%.
• EA2 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Four Rivers, Mahicno branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 5.4 kWp on the roof of the Kindergarten Four Rivers, Mahicno branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 5.60 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 5.27 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 94%.
• EA3 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Four Rivers, branch Turanj
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 5.4 kWp on the roof of the Kindergarten Four Rivers, Turanj branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 12.73 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the 5.57 MWh pilot project will represent the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 44%.
• EA4 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Four Rivers, Švarča branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 65.7 kWp on the roof of the Four Rivers Kindergarten, Švarča branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 121.41 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. . After the implementation of the pilot project 67.95 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 56%.
• EA5 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Karlovac, Gaza branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 21.6 kWp on the roof of the Kindergarten Karlovac, Gaza branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 42.39 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 22.23 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 52%.
• EA6 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Karlovac, Grabrik branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 54 kWp on the roof of the Kindergarten Karlovac, Grabrik branch. The solar power plant is calculated on the basis of the existing electricity consumption at the location, ie 61.00 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project of 51.77 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 85%.
• EA7 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant- Kindergarten Karlovac, Rakovac branch
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 32.4 kWp on the roof of the Karlovac Kindergarten, Rakovac branch. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 67.89 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 33.59 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 49%.
• EA8 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Grabrik Elementary School
The activity involves the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 54 kWp on the roof of the Grabrik Elementary School property. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 123.41 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project of 55.73 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 45%.
• EA9 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Elementary School Mahično
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 10.8 kWp on the roof of the Elementary School Mahično. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 14.02 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 11.43 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 82%.
• EA10 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Švarča Elementary School
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 26.1 kWp on the roof of the Švarča Elementary School. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption at the site, ie 47.55 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project of 27.09 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 57%.
• EA11 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Rečica Elementary School
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 21.6 kWp on the roof of the property of the Elementary School Rečica. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 23.97 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 23.62 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 98%.
• EA12 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Elementary School Dubovac
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 32.4 kWp on the roof of the real estate of the Elementary School Dubovac. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption at the site, ie 44.86 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project of 34.25 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 76%.
• EA13 Pilot project- construction of a solar power plant on the site of the Turanj Elementary School
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 37.8 kWp on the roof of the Turanj Elementary School property. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption at the site, ie 58.17 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project of 40.26 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 69%.
• EA14 Pilot project for the construction of a solar power plant on the property site of Hostel Karlovac
The activity includes the construction of a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 72 kWp on the roof of Hostel Karlovac. The solar power plant was calculated based on the existing electricity consumption on the site, ie 100.28 MWh, the available roof area and the leased connection power on site. After the implementation of the pilot project 69.86 MWh will be the share of green energy in total consumption, ie 69%. The hostel is used for excursions of students from Karlovac schools.
• EA15 Expert supervision of solar power plant construction projects (individually for each pilot project)
The activity involves contracting expert supervision in accordance with the provisions of the Construction Act (OG 153/13, 20/17, 39/19, 125/19) according to which it is performed on works in accordance with the main project and contract cost estimate.
• PM Project Management
The purpose of the Project Management activities is to ensure quality and timely implementation of all project activities with transparent and timely reporting to the competent authorities on the progress of the project and the implementation of the set objectives.
• IC Information and Communication
The purpose of the Information and Communication activity is to ensure the visibility and availability of project information and results to all relevant stakeholders with the obligatory indicated support of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism. The activity will be implemented in accordance with the Communication Plan and partnership with the Energy Farm International Foundation, EFIF from the donor country (Norway).
Rationale for the vertical logic of the project: Contribution to Outcome 2: “Increased renewable energy production” and direct result 2.1 “Installed capacity for renewable energy use” implement measures EA1-EA14 whose implementation increases renewable energy production by 456.35 MWh per year with a total installed capacity of 0.45 MWp. Contribution to direct result 2.2 “Strengthened capacities for management and promotion of energy from renewable sources” are achieved by measures PM and IC while Bilateral direct result 1 is achieved through partnership with Energy Farm International Foundation, EFIF from donor country (Norway) defined through information and communication activities. Achieved stated outcomes / outputs will lead to a reduction in operating costs of public institutions, reduction of dependence on energy from the distribution network and a positive impact on the environment through the reduction of CO2 emissions by 72.38 t / year.
The estimated duration of the project is 18 months. The total value of the project is 447.437,86 Euros while the awarded grant is 381.322,18 Euro.
