Energy-Efficient Public Buildings

The funding measure “Energy-Efficient Public Buildings” is aimed at municipalities, municipal associations, public institutions, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia that wish to reduce the primary energy demand of their non-residential buildings such as sports halls, swimming pools, libraries, cultural institutions, daycare centers, administrative buildings, and schools by at least 50% compared to the current state. EU and state funds totaling €196 million are available for both investment and non-investment measures. Applications can be submitted continuously via the EFRE.NRW online portal as long as resources are available. The funding rate is generally up to 80% of eligible expenses, and up to 90% for municipalities under budgetary supervision. A prerequisite is the submission of an energy concept according to Annex 2 of the funding guideline, which demonstrates energy standards exceeding the legal requirements of the Building Energy Act. Eligible costs include, among others, the preparation of energy concepts, planning services, detailed planning, investment measures on the building envelope and technical systems, as well as surrounding measures such as scaffolding and restoration work.

All measures that contribute to increasing overall energy efficiency as part of an energy refurbishment are funded. These include insulation of walls, floor slabs, and roof surfaces, replacement of windows and exterior doors, improvement of summer heat protection, renewal of heating and domestic hot water systems, installation of modern ventilation and building control technology, as well as accompanying monitoring and energy management concepts. Projects are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of complete applications, with consideration given not only to the reduction of primary energy demand but also to the fulfillment of EU cross-cutting objectives and the order of application submissions. The goal is to make a significant contribution to climate protection and the decarbonization of the public building stock in North Rhine-Westphalia.