Within the framework of the Environment and Energy Efficiency Operational Programme, the Ministry of National Development (MND) supports projects related to urban water supply, wastewater collection and treatment by HUF 58 billion in the first round, Minister of State for Development and Climate Policy and Priority Public Services Zsolt Szabó said at a press conference in Budapest on Thursday.

In the EU budget period of 2014-2020, the Ministry has a combined budget of HUF 1,116 billion altogether, including EU funds and national co-financing, for the various development projects, he pointed out.

The measures related to EEOP will help Hungary meet its EU commitments, contribute to the improvement of environmental conditions and foster a significant reduction in consumers’ energy costs, Zsolt Szabó added.

EEOP, serving as the basis for the environmental and energy efficiency developments of the EU budget period of 2014-2020, supports, among others, water public utility developments, water management, flood and disaster prevention, nature protection and an increase in the energy efficiency of buildings as well as in the ratio of renewable energy resources, the Minister of State outlined.

In the first round, the Development Ministry is to support projects related to urban water supply and wastewater collection and treatment by HUF 58 billion; in the second round it plans to launch support facilities financing investments related to water management and flood and inland inundation prevention, Zsolt Szabó said.

The tenders to be launched in the first half of next year are mainly to facilitate the use of renewable energy resources and the reduction of energy use.

Further tenders are expected to be launched, aimed at curbing the energy use of condominiums and improving energy efficiency – by replacing windows, among others – worth HUF 10 billion, to be financed from quota sales, later this year Zsolt Szabó further revealed.

(MTI Hungarian News Agency)