The successful implementation of a complex Programme such as ‘Energy Efficiency at Home II’ requires sound management. The manner in which the engineers called upon to participate in the application of the programme were and continue to be informed—taking into account the programme's flowchart—does not allow for the proper management of a project such as the valid and timely preparation, submission of the application, and monitoring of the execution of the interventions (if the application is approved) for each beneficiary.
As of 28 February 2018, the engineer is aware of the content of the annexes to the implementation guide. They have, however, no information regarding the electronic platform where the application details will be registered. No manual is available. Furthermore, despite the content of the annexes being known, the engineer still has fundamental questions/doubts that do not concern details, but rather overarching issues (such as, for instance, that of major renovation), which can lead to the rejection of the application. All this whilst the submission of applications is expected to commence on 8 March 2018, without there effectively being a sufficient period to assimilate the numerous requirements of the Programme and the platform, or even a trial period to become familiar with its use.
The engineer who will be called upon to manage/process the requirements of the new Programme will initially have to inform the client about the supporting documents they need to provide. They will have to search for the plans in the local town planning offices, and carry out surveys of buildings for which no plans exist. They will have to check the validity of the supporting documents and the ‘legality’ of the structures. They will have to draft the Energy Performance Certificate for the building where it does not exist or is old, examine which scenarios satisfy the programme's requirements, take the preliminary measurements, compile the list with the material specifications, contact the suppliers, and finally draft the budget for the works. All this for a single client. They will also need to dedicate as much time as required to inform new clients. It is therefore understandable that the significant needs of the Programme require, above all, valid, timely, and thorough official briefing, adequate time for understanding and processing the data, and reliability in the process of submitting and managing applications via the platform.
However, what increases the magnitude of the problem is the fact that the sole criterion by which an application will be evaluated is its chronological position in the ranking. The small number of beneficiaries that will ultimately emerge—due to the Programme's small total budget in the Region of Western Macedonia [regarding which a relevant Letter to the Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, the Managing Authority of the ROP of Western Macedonia, the Ministry of Environment and Energy & ETEAN to investigate the possibility of increasing the funding for the ‘Energy Efficiency at Home II’ Programme in Western Macedonia was sent] and the rejection of many applications either due to insufficient supporting documents or incorrect data—reduces the respective engineer's available time to a minimum and further impedes their engagement with the Programme. An obvious consequence of the above is the lack of meaningful evaluation of the plans to be submitted.
For the Steering Committee of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM)
The President
Dimitris Mavromatidis