1,874 schools (16% of the 11,571 which reported their status on access to utilities) do not have running water in any of the buildings they own. Only 37% of schools are connected to the natural gas network, and of these, about 10% do not have access to natural gas in all their own buildings.

The figures were synthesized by the Energy Policy Group (EPG) think-tank, within the “Efficient Romania” project, carried out in partnership with OMV Petrom. Schools in six cities will be energy renovated through this program. Audits have already been carried out in order to increase energy efficiency, and the renovation of schools will not stop at simple insulation, but will be done “after in-depth renovation projects, aligned with new EU standards,” said Radu Dudau, EPG director. Until the end of the year, the assignment of the works will start, with works scheduled to start next year at schools in Băicoi (Prahova) and Ovidiu (Constanța), then, in 2022, at schools in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Ploiești, Vaslui and Cristuru Secuiesc.

Obviously, the program is an initiative that cannot cover all needs. “We launched the‘ Efficient Romania ’project in July 2019, being very aware of the huge need to improve energy efficiency in Romania and, especially, energy efficiency of buildings, where, unfortunately, a lot of energy is consumed and wasted”, said Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, during the conference ‘Efficient Romania – A Renovation Wave Across Europe’. In his turn, the Minister of Economy Virgil Popescu invited the Romanian companies to choose each a school to help become more energy efficient.