The state will pay millions for energy labels on its buildings

Prague - The state will pay 19 million crowns excluding VAT for the processing of energy performance certificates (EPC) for state buildings over the next four years. This year alone, it is expected to label around 70 buildings with the energy label. This was learned by ČTK from the Public Procurement Bulletin.
     The contract for the processing of energy performance certificates for buildings owned by the state has been awarded by the Office for Representation of the State in Property Affairs (ÚZSVM). However, it only estimates the number of buildings that will need an energy label.
     "ÚZSVM is unable to determine specific buildings for which EPC will be required at the time of preparing the tender documentation and also when concluding the contract," the office stated. According to available data, it estimated that EPC would be needed for approximately 70 buildings at one time.
     In the following years, the office estimates that it will be necessary to process EPC for about 260 to 350 buildings annually.
     The current figures are not available even from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which oversees this issue. "Currently, monitoring and compiling a list of all government buildings is underway, which is related to the implementation of the new Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency. This list is expected to be created around mid-2013," said Tomáš Paták from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ČTK.
     According to Paták, many state buildings already have energy labels. "Many government buildings already have EPC obtained due to, for example, applications for subsidies from grant programs or significant changes to the building, for which the obligation to process EPC has been in place since 2009," Paták pointed out.
     From July 1 of this year, all public buildings with a total area exceeding 500 square meters must have an energy performance certificate. From July 1, 2015, this obligation will also apply to state buildings larger than 250 square meters.
     However, energy labels have been mandatory since January 1 for all new buildings or during renovations and sales of apartments. Builders, building owners, or homeowners' associations are required to ensure them. In the case of leasing parts of buildings, the new obligation will apply starting in 2016. Existing buildings are to gradually obtain labels from 2015 to 2019, according to the area specified by law.