Western Balkans Sustainable Energy Financing Facility II (We

approved

Sub-projects signed under this framework Increase of the financing amount under Western Balkans Sustainable Energy Financing Facility II ("WeBSEFF II") operation to EUR 117 million from the already approved amount of EUR 92 million. The increased framework amount will adhere to the same structure as already implemented under WeBSEFF II. WeBSEFF II is a framework operation that aims at supporting selected private and municipal sub-borrowers undertaking investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in Western Balkans region, including Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The framework will comprise senior loans to local financial institutions in the Western Balkan countries for on-lending to private and municipal sub-borrowers undertaking energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The facility is supported by grants from the European Union ("EU") through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans ("REEPWB") and the EBRD Shareholders Special Fund ("SSF"). The grants will fund technical assistance and incentives to end-borrowers. The structure of the Framework builds on the first WeBSEFF's successful model launched in 2009. The new framework also features improvements like opening up the market to the municipal energy efficiency projects and stepping up policy dialogue to set up the necessary regulatory framework and support the emergence of ESCO market. The transition impact derives from green and competitive transition qualities. The Facility will contribute towards building a green economy by facilitating the expansion of private and municipal energy efficiency lending in the Western Balkans and positive demonstration effects of energy efficiency projects, thus supporting Green transition quality. By developing the internal capacity of the participating PFIs for financing sustainable energy projects and identifying and funding advanced systems, it will underpin the Competitive quality. The project will support faster market penetration of energy efficiency related technologies, which go beyond prevailing standards for the Western Balkans countries. Local commercial banks, leasing companies and other credit institutions operating in the Western Balkans will be eligible to participate in the framework. EBRD Financing of up to EUR 117 million. EUR 92,000,000.00 Total Project Cost of up to EUR 117 million. Categorised FI. This framework is expected to result in significant environmental benefits, principally improved energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Participating financial institutions will be required to comply with the EBRD's performance requirements 2, 4 and 9, including adherence to the EBRD's Environmental and Social Exclusion and Referral Lists and submission of annual environmental and social reports to the Bank, including reporting on subprojects. Sub-projects will be required to comply with national standards for environment, health and safety and labour and, where relevant, EBRD eligibility criteria for on-shore wind and small hydro projects. Technical cooperation (TC) will be funded by the EU through WBIF. The EBRD will engage Project and Verification consultants. The Project Consultant will provide implementation support to PFIs, subborrowers and local experts, including: awareness campaign, project pipeline development, energy audits to sub-borrowers and implementation support for sub-projects. An independent Verification Consultant will perform eligibility verification. Marinela Kalemi kalemim@ebrd.com 0044 20 7338 7827 www.ebrd.com EBRD, One Exchange Square London, EC2A 2JN