The City of Čakovec is dedicated to raising awareness about the need for energy independence and informing citizens about potential sources of co-financing for the installation of solar PV systems. It contributes to the energy transition with projects and activities in several fields, in addition to the energy renovation of public buildings. The City is also the organizer of public forums and lectures for citizens on the topic of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy.
One of the major projects in this regard is the project “Good Energy – Solar Energy for Energy Transition”, which will enable the installation of a solar PV system at the “Marija Ružić” Public Pools. The installation has started and is expected to be finished by the end of August. This will be followed by the period of trial operation managed by national energy company HEP. Commissioning is planned for mid-September.
With this pilot project worth 263.081,33 EUR, the City of Čakovec is securing a solar PV system that will produce electricity with an installed power of 244,875 kW, i.e. a maximum peak power of 220 kW and will primarily serve to meet its own electricity needs. Surplus electricity will be delivered to the network of the national energy company HEP. Co-financing with a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, with national funding from the Republic of Croatia, amounts to 85%, while the City will provide the remaining 15% of the project’s value. It is a project with a consortium of 11 partners led by the County of Istria. The goal of the project is to increase the production of energy from renewable sources in Croatia, which has pushed the City of Čakovec to implement solar PV system projects for other public facilities as well.
Solar PV systems are planned for kindergartens and schools, the City of Čakovec will also co-finance installations for households
As part of an energy renovation project, a solar PV system will also be installed on the roof of the “Cipelica” Kindergarten . In cooperation with the Green Energy Cooperative (ZEZ), solar PV systems are planned for the III. Elementary School and the “Cvrčak” Kindergarten. Through the ITU project, the solar PV system will also be installed on the parking lot canopies at the “Marija Ružić” Public Pools. The plan is to install solar collectors at the Čakovec Cultural Center, as well as the future Regional Education – Rehabilitation Center and the Regional Tennis Center Međimurje.
The City of Čakovec is also working out the possibilities of co-financing the installation of solar PV systems for households, as that will bring savings to the households over a longer period of time, but in addition to savings, the targeted benefits are CO2 reductions and the energy independence of citizens.
“The project “Good Energy – Solar Energy for Energy Transition” motivated us to look at all the possibilities of installing solar PV systems on the roofs of our public buildings. By installing a solar PV system at the Public Pools, we will reduce CO2 emissions by 40 tons and achieve financial savings in electricity consumption. With the expansion of the parking space at the Public Pools, we plan to install additional solar panels and program the installation of solar PV systems on the buildings of schools and institutions”, explained the mayor of the City of Čakovec, Ljerka Cividini.
