Detoxifying heat with Energy Performance Contracting: the G.R.O.W.S. project in Campi Salentina

In the Southern province of Lecce, in Puglia, Italy, the small city of Campi Salentina is breaking records and preconceptions when it comes to the heat detox, proving that municipalities of all sizes can achieve ambitious goals. With just over 9.000 inhabitants, Campi Salentina was the first municipality of such size to lead a project receiving a significant fund from the European Investment Bank (EIB). 

Working for a sustainable future  

The Municipality of Campi Salentina joined the Covenant of Mayors in 2010, approved its first Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) in 2014 and, having achieved the 2020 targets, has recently approved a new SECAP, in order to stay on track for climate neutrality by 2050. 

The project that covers the most significant part of Campi Salentina’s heat detox – G.R.O.W.S. – is an important piece of the puzzle in this journey to climate neutrality, as it seeks to increase energy savings and renewable energy production, reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen the city’s capacity in Energy Performance Contracting, all while promoting public-private partnerships. 

Green Revolution Of Wealth in Salento: The G.R.O.W.S Project 

The G.R.O.W.S project has benefited from the E.L.E.N.A (European Local Energy Assistance) program, which provided funding for studies and designs amounting to €1,880,000.00, supporting total planned investments of €60,255,801.49. The project involves 23 municipalities, with the Municipality of Campi Salentina (LE) acting as the lead, covering a vast area across the provinces of Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi in southern Italy. 

The project aims to achieve energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions in line with the "Europe 2030" criteria through energy efficiency improvements in public buildings to reach NZEB (near zero energy buildings) standards and public lighting upgrades. This initiative represents a unique opportunity to promote innovation and establish strategic public-private partnerships in the energy sector. The works are currently in progress, making this project a significant case study at local, national, and European levels. 

Through its working methods, G.R.O.W.S. fosters a collaborative model linking public administrations with local businesses, consortia, universities, and financial institutions to support investments and achieve institutional goals. This experience has been shared with partner municipalities and other interested local governments. 

G.R.O.W.S. measures for healthy heat 

In line with this project, many measures are being planned and implemented to provide more thermal comfort and healthy heat to the population of Campi Salentina. These include the replacement of windows with low thermal emissivity glass, the insulation of vertical walls and roofs using high-performance insulating panels capable of supporting photovoltaic panels, the installation of high-efficiency electric heat pumps, and the installation of photovoltaic panels sized according to estimated energy consumption. To make sure the detox reaches all, minimum energy efficiency standards are implemented in public and social housing, and families facing energy poverty are directly involved in the decision-making process. 

As a result, the city expects energy savings of 15.07 GWh annually, and an annual production of energy of 1.134 GWh in renewable sources, amounting to less 4,913 tons of CO2 emitted per year.  

Promising results 

Amidst an energy crisis, the G.R.O.W.S. project is laying the groundwork for an energy community among North Salento municipalities. Communication efforts emphasize the importance of self-produced, stored, and equitably distributed energy as a symbol of freedom and equity. 

This project has also created jobs in the electricity and construction sectors, and promoted a modern, energy-efficient, and circular economy. 

Where Campi Salentina is in the heat strategy : 

Campi Salentina's Heat Detox

Key Heat Figures

• Emissions related to heating: 5.57 KT
• Percentage of renewables in heating system: 60% 

Covenant Figures 

• Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since: 2010 

Overall CO2 emission reduction target:  

• % GHG emissions reductions by 2030: 55%
• % GHG emissions reductions by 2050: Climate Neutrality