Improving Energy Efficiency in Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Abstract

The main impetus for this report (and
 for the reports prepared for the other six growth poles) is
 a request received from the Ministry of Regional Development
 and Public Administration. The request came within the
 context of on-going preparations for the 2014-2020
 programming period, with energy efficiency being one the
 major themes of the Europe 2020 strategy, and a critical
 priority for all EU member countries. Within Romania, local
 authorities that will want to access energy efficiency funds
 under the 2014-2020 Regional Operational Program will need
 to first prepare energy efficiency strategies. The TRACE
 tool is specifically targeted at local authorities, and is a
 good instrument for drafting such strategies after the 1989
 Revolution; Romania began its transition from a centralized
 system to a market-run economy. Today the country is a
 member of the European Union (EU) and NATO. After more than
 a decade of economic restructuring and political change, the
 country has taken significant steps to catch up with the
 economic performance of more developed EU countries.
 Although radical reforms brought about significant changes,
 the standard of living of Romanians is still behind the EU
 average. Cluj-Napoca (Cluj) is one of cities where such
 disparities are less pronounced, as the region is more
 developed and prosperous than most regions in the country.
 Cluj has developed quite well in the past few years, and it
 has become one of the most flourishing cities in the
 country, having a good growing potential. At present, the
 city is an important economic center, home to several local
 brands that have become famous nationwide as well as in
 Europe. Moreover, Cluj is known today as the
 'capital' of the IT sector in the country, due to
 an aggressive expansion of this field in recent years.