Serial school refurbishment initiative in Rhineland-Palatinate
The first schools are currently being made fit for a climate-neutral future with serial refurbishment solutions with the support of dena, the Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency and Holzbau-Cluster Rheinland-Pfalz.
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© Hoffotografen
Sebastian Boie
Senior Expert, Communications T: +49 30 66 777 - 168 sebastian.boie(at)dena.de
Berlin, Germany, 4 July 2024. The majority of the 1,629 schools, 2,465 daycare centres and 2,159 gymnasiums in Rhineland-Palatinate no longer meet modern energy standards. Together with the Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency and Holzbau-Cluster Rheinland-Pfalz, dena sent information to 30 municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate about the benefits of the innovative refurbishment approach, advised them on funding opportunities, supported them in selecting buildings, guided them through the tendering process and invited them to regularly share their experiences as part of an initiative launched in May 2023. The first serial school refurbishments in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Sinzig, Wittlich and Daleiden are now in various planning and preparation phases.
Energy savings of up to 90 per cent
Serial refurbishment combines digital planning with automated prefabrication and standardised processes, which means that comprehensive energy modernisations can be implemented much faster and more economically. Christian Stolte, Head of Climate-neutral Buildings at dena, says, ‘A multi-year pilot phase in the residential building sector for apartment buildings has shown that energy savings of up to 90 per cent are possible. Even highly inefficient buildings can achieve levels of energy efficiency for new construction when applying serial refurbishment solutions.’ The knowledge gained in the residential building sector is now gradually being transferred to other building types. Schools, daycare centres, sports halls and administrative buildings are ideally suited to the serial refurbishment approach due to their (often run-of-the-mill) building massing. Ideally, they should be refurbished during the holidays or during ongoing operations.
Moving forward in Ramstein-Miesenbach
The municipality of Ramstein-Miesenbach is one of the first municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate to launch a serial school refurbishment project. The Realschule Plus secondary school (7,500-square-metres) is being brought up to the latest energy standards with an innovative modernisation approach. Constructed in the early 1970s, the building will receive a new shell made of prefabricated timber façade elements, modern building technology and a rooftop photovoltaic system. Ulrike Bossung, head of the building department of the municipality of Ramstein-Miesenbach, offers some advice to other municipalities: ‘Get the support of dena, the Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency and Holzbau-Cluster Rheinland-Pfalz; take advantage of the attractive ERDF [European Regional Development Fund] funding so you can get started.’

Subsidies of up to 90 per cent
In addition to Realschule Plus in Ramstein-Miesenbach, the energy modernisation of the Georg-Meistermann primary school in Wittlich is also being financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and co-financed by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Up to 90 per cent of the costs will be funded by the state and the EU. The refurbishment costs amount to €3.6 million for Realschule Plus, with the school’s contribution totalling €360,000, which will quickly be amortised thanks to high energy savings. Anja Simon, specialist for energy-efficient buildings at the Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency, explains, ‘New ERDF funding is currently available for the energy-efficient refurbishment of schools, daycare centres and gymnasiums. It is still possible to submit [applications] until 16 August 2024. We encourage all municipalities to apply for this attractive funding programme.’ Any municipalities that are interested can contact foerderung-energie(at)mkuem.rlp.de to arrange an individual consultation with the Ministry of Climate Action regarding funding through the second ERDF funding call. Municipalities that do not receive ERDF funding will be supported through low-interest loans and repayment grants of up to 50 per cent as part of the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings programme. In addition, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is providing around €250 million for the energy modernisation of schools and daycare centres as part of the Municipal Investment Programme for Climate Protection and Innovation (Kommunales Investitionsprogramm für Klimaschutz und Innovation, or KIPKI).
About the Centre of Expertise for Serial Refurbishment
dena’s Centre of Expertise for Serial Refurbishment coordinates the international Energiesprong initiative in Germany on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Together with its market development teams, it is the central point of contact for all questions relating to serial refurbishment. The consulting and support services range from building selection, concept development and subsidy consulting to portfolio analyses, pilot projects and product development, right through to the reduction of regulatory barriers. The free programme will be rounded off by regular kick-off workshops, funding talks, day trips to serial refurbishment projects and networking events. Please visit https://www.energiesprong.de/ for further information.
Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency
The Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency promotes the energy transition and climate protection in Rhineland-Palatinate as a state organisation. More than 100 dedicated energy experts advise municipalities on climate protection projects and support them in all phases right through to implementation. A new focus is the serial refurbishment of public properties. Please visit https://www.energieagentur.rlp.de/ for further information.
ERDF funding
ERDF-based funding programmes are an important instrument for promoting climate protection at municipal level. The EU’s financial contribution is between 40 and 60 per cent depending on the federal state. The Rhineland-Palatinate ERDF programme is geared towards two political objectives in the 2021–2027 funding period: ‘a more competitive and smarter Europe’ and ‘a greener, low-carbon, resilient Europe’. The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Climate Action (MKUEM) publishes corresponding funding calls. In the second ERDF funding call, there will be up to €34.8 million available for comprehensive energy-efficiency measures for municipal buildings. Please visit https://efre.rlp.de/foerderperiode-2021-2027 for further information.