Energy certification of buildings is becoming increasingly important in the context of the green transition and European climate goals. The fact that as many as 75 per cent of buildings in Croatia are not energy efficient, and that the annual renovation rate is only one per cent, clearly points to the need for accelerated action in the building sector. That is why the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) has adapted its Training Program for Energy Certifiers to modern market needs and made it available online, on the Moodle platform, in an on-demand format.
The training program (MODULE 1) is divided into seven thematic units common to all four professions — architectural, civil, mechanical, and electrical — and enables participants to acquire the necessary knowledge to conduct energy audits and issue energy performance certificates for buildings with simple technical systems. Recorded lectures, educational materials, discussion forums, and progress tracking tools are accessible on all devices, providing maximum flexibility for learning. The program is available immediately, and participants can choose their own pace and study schedule at their convenience.
This program is particularly relevant because the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, adopted in April 2024, introduces additional requirements and opens new opportunities, making the role of energy certifiers crucial for achieving the goal of building decarbonization by 2050.
Marina Malinovec Puček, Head of Education at EIHP, notes that the new directive significantly expands the role of energy certifiers. “In the near future, they will be preparing building renovation passports, calculating indicators of building readiness for smart technologies and the global warming potential over the building life cycle, providing advice to the general public through single contact points, and proposing measures for the complete phase-out of fossil fuel boilers by 2040 — all with the ultimate goal of decarbonizing the building sector. All this clearly shows that the engagement and expertise of energy certifiers will be more important than ever,” concludes Malinovec Puček.
This article was originally published in the business weekly Lider.
