Trainings for Energy Efficiency Auditors in the Maghreb

Due to the continuing population growth in Algeria and Morocco, the migration of the rural population to the cities and the resulting urbanisation, the need for new buildings is increasing as well as the energy demand in the buildings. In addition, most the existing buildings date back to the 1960s and 70s, when large construction projects were realised in the newly independent countries without taking energy efficiency aspects into consideration. Today the energy consumption in buildings therefore accounts for an increasing share of the total energy consumption in these countries. For energy-exporting countries like Algeria the higher domestic consumption leads to decreasing revenues whereas for energy-importing countries like Morocco a stronger dependency on foreign energy supply is the result. Energy efficiency measures as a means of saving energy have therefore been included in the national agendas of both countries.

On behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) adelphi conducted a training cycle for energy efficiency auditors in the Maghreb. The training sessions worked towards the introduction of expert energy efficiency auditors in Morocco and Algeria. A total of four workshops aimed at architects and engineers took place in those countries between June 2012 and April 2013. Participants were instructed in fundamental principles of building technology, life-cycle calculations and implementing energy audits. During various trips to construction sites, they were able to apply skills acquired in measurement technology, energy accounting and data evaluation in a practical context, helping them to complete an independent audit. In cooperation with specialists, adelphi was responsible for the planning of content and methodology, hosting and assessment of the workshops.

With this project, adelphi is building on the successful collaboration with the GIZ as part of the capacity building programme for education and training within the environment sector in the Maghreb region. Already in March and April 2012, adelphi organised trainings on the application of measurement technologies in buildings in Tunisia and on energy optimisation in a planned building in Algeria.