Romania Eficienta Launches a New nZEB Standard Renovation Project of a Public School

EPG (Energy Policy Group) and OMV Petrom announce the signing of the design and execution contract for the modernization of Middle School No. 1 in Tuzla commune, Constanta County. The investment estimated at 3.5 million euros will be supported by OMV Petrom, the official sponsor of the program.

“Romania Eficienta is a program we believe in with all confidence. We are glad to contribute to transforming schools into modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly spaces — places where children can learn and grow in the best possible conditions. At the same time, the Romania Eficienta program is an educational initiative that promotes responsible energy consumption and helps shape a new generation that is more aware of its environmental impact,” Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, states.

“Romania Eficienta has become a benchmark program for how school buildings can be brought to the highest energy efficiency standards. The signing of the in-depth renovation contract for the Middle School No. 1 in Tuzla marks the launch of a complex project, which includes both increasing the building’s energy performance and structural reinforcement works. With the support of our partner OMV Petrom, we will be able to significantly reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, while improving indoor comfort conditions for students and teachers,” Radu Dudau, President of the Energy Policy Group (EPG) and coordinator of the Romania Eficienta program, adds.

The Gymnasium School No. 1 in Tuzla is the sixth public education unit in Romania that will benefit from a building with the highest energy efficiency standards, through the Romania Eficienta program ran by EPG and supported by OMV Petrom. Following the completion of the works, the school will offer a healthy and comfortable indoor environment to 400 students, guided by 28 teachers.

The complex project of energy consolidation and rehabilitation to nZEB standard (nearly zero energy building) of the main building of the school (C1) is complemented by works targeting secondary buildings: demolition of the old thermal power plant and warehouse (buildings C3 and C8) and construction of two new building buildings dedicated to technical spaces and fire protection.

The main works subordinated to the main objective, to increase the energy performance of the school, include:

• Thermal insulation of the building’s exterior
• Installation of energy-efficient aluminium PVC carpentry
• Installation of a modern heating system
• Installation of a ventilation system with heat recovery
• Replacement of the domestic hot water production plant
• Restoration of electrical, sanitary and thermal systems
• Implementation of a high-performance lighting system, with LED fixtures
• Placement of a photovoltaic panel system on the building’s roof.

The in-depth renovation carried out through the Romania Eficienta program will significantly reduce the building’s energy consumption and carbon emissions, for a more energy-efficient and healthier school for students and the environment alike.