4th Educational Unit Modernized Through ‘Romania Eficienta’ Program Supported by OMV Petrom
4th Educational Unit Modernized Through ‘Romania Eficienta’ Program Supported by OMV Petrom
As the European Union (EU) has established ambitious climate neutrality goals for 2050, the widespread adoption of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) standard became mandatory. Although the directives provide for clear targets, practical implementation and understanding of nZEB requirements remain uneven across Member States.
In Romania, Energy Policy Group is running a unique project – ‘Romania Eficienta’, supported by OMV Petrom, with a key goal: to create a culture of energy efficiency in buildings at national level.
Thus, in January 2025, OMV Petrom and Energy Policy Group (EPG) concluded the energy rehabilitation works at the Technological High School in Vernesti, Buzau County. This is the fourth educational unit in Romania to be upgraded to the nZEB standard as part of the ‘Romania Eficienta’ program. The value for upgrading this building amounted to EUR 1.3 million, fully supported by OMV Petrom.
The leaders of the project team, representatives of the main sponsor, authorities and local community, as well as the press inaugurated with much enthusiasm and joy the body of workshops and laboratories of the Vernesti Technological High School, Buzau County.
The building dates back to the 2000s and has an area of approx. 300 square meters. The newly renovated educational unit will provide the 350 students benefiting from the new conditions with an efficient, comfortable and friendly space for specific activities.
According to Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, who is emotionally, not only financially, involved in supporting this project, this achievement represents a significant economic gain. At the same time, it can demonstrate that such a project is possible in rural areas, and the example can be replicated by mayors across the country, encouraged to access the available funds.
“Renovating education buildings to nZEB standards shows that we can have efficient and sustainable energy consumption and that we can all contribute to a low-carbon future,” Christina Verchere pointed out.
Also, Radu Dudau, EPG President and project coordinator, mentioned that EPG’s involvement in such endeavours will continue. Benefiting from a generous budget for the renovation of educational units, EPG can contribute to the improvement of the conditions for students’ activities and to the modernization of the Romanian education system infrastructure.
“What’s new is that we renovated the first school in a rural area, where we were guided by certain indicators, including being a locality with good demographic dynamics. It is a place with a good school population, and we hope that this success will continue to attract interest, so that students can be educated here,” Radu Dudau concluded.
