The Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association (LNTPA) has decided to increase the frequency and scope of its meetings with social partners. The following key points were made in the second round table discussion with Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai:
- Conclusion and signing of contracts. A joint working group shall be formed to share insights, suggestions, and comments in order to develop an effective regulatory environment that benefits all parties involved.
- Building administrators. Initiating a tripartite meeting between the LNTPA, Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai, and representatives of building administrators. Recommendation – establishing the Association of Administrators. One of the main challenges at present is that the real estate developer has the authority to appoint an administrator until the building is fully occupied. It was proposed to form a small working group to solve this issue.
- Difficult connection conditions. Cases and potential improvements. A list of actual cases shall be compiled, detailing the identified current or past problems faced by members of LNTPA. Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai shall delegate responsible persons to manage the process of solving such cases.
- Designers and their education. Designers can sometimes become the weakest link in the process, as they may not assess individual situations and instead apply one template for all cases. This can result in comical situations, such as designing a pipe that already exists or failing to consider changes in low temperature. It was proposed to organise joint meetings between LNTPA members, their designers and responsible employees of Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai. Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai is prepared to undertake the necessary education and training.
Another potential solution is the implementation of a publicly available electronic system, which would reflect the entire process (comments, notes, proposals, related documents, etc.) and prevent designers from sharing inaccurate information with LNTPA members. This could be achieved with the help of EU structural funds. If a positive decision is made, representatives of LNTPA and Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai would participate in the project. - Calculation of the energy class. Vilnius Šilumos Tinklai submitted proposals for the amendment and justification of the Construction Technical Regulation “Design and Certification of Energy Performance of Buildings” (STR 2.01.02:2016). LNTPA will submit these proposals to the Minister of Environment.
- The aim of the amendments is to increase the attractiveness of centralised heat supply compared to other types of energy.
- The amendments suggest that data on the use of renewable and non-renewable resources for heat production should not be indicated in the legal act, as is currently the case, but it should be published by heat suppliers. This change would enable designers to use the latest data showing the actual environmental impact of buildings (see the attached document for details).