Romania Eficienta: What does Liliesti Baicoi Secondary School look like transformed into a nZEB “jewel”

Over 40 years old, Liliesti Secondary School in Baicoi (Prahova) has become one of the most modern in Romania and one of the schools with the lowest energy consumption. Moreover, it has become a “green” school, which produces a good part of its energy needs through its own system of 30 photovoltaic panels and a very modern and efficient system of five heat pumps. All this after the unit was renovated to nZEB standard (nearly zero energy building) through an investment of 1.6 million euros made through the Romania Eficienta program, run by Energy Policy Group (EPG) and funded by OMV Petrom.

“We have the joy of seeing a gem again, because we should not be afraid of epithets when they are justified. The building not only looks good, but it is much more performant. The important thing is that we have reached this point where we can all talk about a success“, said Radu Dudău, President of Energy Policy Group and coordinator of the Romania Eficienta program, at the inauguration event of the school, which took place recently.

Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, said that through the Romania Eficienta program, two schools have been modernized so as to have a minimum energy consumption. Through these investments supported by OMV Petrom, it has been shown that it is possible, and these models can be replicated at national level.

“Over 80 percent of Romanians consider that the energy improvement of schools is a priority. Liliești is the second school to be renovated through this program and it is not only about reducing energy consumption, but also about better conditions for students and teachers here in the school,” said Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom. She noted that 45 percent of the energy in Romania is used in buildings, many of which were built before 1990, with an energy consumption of two to three times higher than a modern building.