ISO50001 in Eisenkappel-Vellach

The project started in November 2010 and clear results were already visible 6 months later. During the first year electricity consumption decreased by nearly 25% and further improvements could be started.  This was only possible with the active support of all local stakeholders involving council employees, schoolmasters, a very supporting mayor and an energy-aware community. The implementation and certification process was also supported by the desire of the local council and all six political parties to eliminate fossil fuels, and achieve sustainable development.

It is also interesting to learn that energy efficiency improvements were not only implemented in public areas but also in private households, as the overall approach was to integrate as many inhabitants as possible. According to Franz Josef Smrtnik, Mayor of the 2 400 inhabitant community, adopting an energy management system was important because “continuous energy savings make budgets available for other important issues, and local energy resources create added value in the region.