With EU funds to improve energy efficiency...

With the help of EU funds to improve the energy efficiency of mountain huts.

In 2021, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MGRT) announced a call for energy and environmental renovation of mountain huts worth 5 million euros. In two deadlines, more than 30 investors/mountain huts applied. Due to limited funds, a total of 26 projects were approved in both deadlines, and one project later withdrew from implementation. The majority of projects are concluding as of early November 2022.

The bulk of the investment works was carried out this summer and autumn. As the name of the call indicates, the purpose was to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of mountain facilities, as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated by mountain facilities throughout their life cycle. Investments were thus primarily directed towards insulation works, both roof and wall insulation, and in some cases floor insulation, as well as replacement of building joinery. Many investments also included replacement of heat production appliances, including many heat pumps for sanitary water and various measures to reduce water consumption. Some huts installed or renovated small wastewater treatment plants, set up their own solar power plant, replaced old and worn electrical wiring and chimney flues (primarily as a justified measure for greater fire safety).

Among the investors or recipients of funds are also the mountain huts Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju and Mozirska koča na Golteh, which burned down in a fire a few years ago. Due to the complexity of construction and large financial investment, the huts will presumably reopen to hikers in 2023. The hut that did not burn down but was practically completely rebuilt on the same site is Planinska koča na Uskovnici, which has been open again since June this year.



"In the Alpine Association of Slovenia, as well as in the associations and mountain huts, we are grateful that the state has recognized the need to improve mountain infrastructure. Regardless of the complexity of investments both in terms of construction and finance—2022 was one of the most difficult years for construction recently—as well as administrative implementation, most investments are already completed and thus more pleasant for visitors and ultimately also for the staff in the huts. At the same time, we hope for another similar call in the next financial period, as there is still considerable need for renovations of mountain huts," added Dušan Prašnikar, professional associate of PZS for the Economic Commission.



Planinsko društvo LPP was successful in the call and obtained 204 thousand in non-repayable funds for the renovation of Koča na Planini pri Jezeru. "Before the season at the hut, we replaced the building joinery, later made a new larch facade with 20 cm insulation, insulated the attic in the mansard, replaced the heating appliance with a more energy-efficient one, renovated the solar system, installed a ventilation system, replaced equipment in the wastewater treatment plant, installed fire sensors and installed water-saving equipment. We also renovated the log cabin, which we will market for sleeping during the season. In October, we renovated the guest rooms, lighting in the guest rooms, refurbished the sanitary facilities and converted the largest room in the hut into three double rooms, for which there is high demand. We planned all changes together with the selected architect."

"We expect to invest a little more than 100 thousand euros of our own funds in the energy renovation and thus perhaps carry out some cosmetic works in the next season and thus, after almost 40 years, start the new season with an energy and content-renovated hut," explained Tomaž Rusimovič, president of PD LPP. He added that, according to the caretaker, there was 30 percent more traffic this year than last year and that the vast majority of hut visitors were foreigners.

Planinsko društvo Luče was also successful in the call. It obtained 100 thousand euros in non-repayable funds for the energy renovation of Koča na Loki pod Raduho. "Since summer, our hut has a new insulated wooden facade, insulated attic, we replaced the heating appliance and installed a solar power plant. The value of the investment was 145 thousand euros including VAT, the approved ministry funds were just over 100 thousand euros. We covered the remainder with donations and a loan," explained Bogomir Pečovnik, president of PD Luče.

He added that they have a tenant in the hut, so he cannot speak about the hut's traffic, but he believes there were many hikers in the hut and can confirm that there were 600 entries in the book at the top of Raduha in less than a month.