Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans - REEP Plus

The energy intensity of the six Western Balkan countries is around three times higher than the average for the European Union, often as the result of aged and obsolete energy infrastructure and poorly maintained and/or outdated energy-using capital stock. Moreover, there is a growing need amongst the WB6 for cleaner energy while reducing dependence on imported energy sources.

In order to address such investment needs, the European Commission, in partnership with the Energy Community Secretariat (ECS) and the EBRD, established the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) for the Western Balkans in 2013. 

REEP provides hands-on support to beneficiary countries with:

• Policy Dialogue and project preparation support for Energy Service Company (ESCO) projects and national Energy Efficiency Action Plan implementation;
• Credit line facility through local financial institutions for projects in private and public sectors (“WebSEFF”);
• Direct lending facility covering public and private sector sustainable energy projects, including renewables and ESCOs (“WeBSEDFF”).

REEP Plus will continue to address policy barriers and bring additional benefits through a combination of project preparation support and medium-term financing to households, public and private sector for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) investments with a main focus on the residential sector. It will follow a similar structure to the original REEP with the addition of a residential component under Window 2. The Direct Lending Facility will continue to cover both municipal and private sector investments in sustainable energy, including small renewable energy projects.

The European Union, through the WBIF, has contributed a further €30 million grant in 2016, under the Connectivity Agenda. 

Links

EBRD and Partners Launch Energy Efficiency Programme in Serbia

Rehabilitation, including Retrofitting, of Zenica Cantonal Hospital, Bosnia and Herzegovina

New Financing Facility for Kosovo* under the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans (REEP)