Investments to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Existing Residential Buildings in Countries of the Former Soviet Union

This report analyzes the linkages between energy efficiency investments in multifamily buildings in FSU (former Soviet Union) countries and the institutional, policy, and social aspects of the housing sector transitions. The report captures the substantial experience accumulated by the World Bank during preparation of several lending projects in FSU countries from 1994 to 1996. This experience covers both the broader housing sector transitions taking place in these countries and the specific technical, economic, social, and institutional aspects of energy efficiency improvements. Following the introduction in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 describes the housing problem in terms of its infrastructural, technical, institutional, financial, political, and social dimensions. Chapter 3 surveys and analyzes existing knowledge and studies of technical-economic opportunities for energy efficiency improvements to multifamily residential buildings. Chapter 4 analyzes the many linkages between energy efficiency investments and transitions in the housing sector. Chapter 5 examines investment project approaches to energy efficiency. Chapter 6 summarizes the report ' s main conclusion and recommends future research and project preparation activities.