ZGRADONAČELNIK Igor Kemenović

Guest Igor KimenovićHosted by Tin BašićMay 3, 2026

Igor Kimenović

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Croatia faces a looming challenge: over half its housing stock is energy inefficient, while new EU directives demand urgent action. The conversation often frames this as a technical or financial hurdle, but what if the real problem is a deeper societal one? Igor Kemenović, President of the Croatian Association of Thermal Facade System Manufacturers (HUP FAS), argues that the years-long neglect of property owner obligations is as much to blame as any lack of funding. His association, representing 18 companies with a combined €500 million in annual revenue, acts as "the expert voice of the industry," providing critical insight into how policy should truly listen to those who build. This discussion explores the current state of Croatia's energy landscape, why public interest isn't enough, and what it truly takes to drive a nationwide energy renovation.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

HUP FAS, representing 18 companies with a combined annual revenue of €500 million, is described by the guest as "the expert voice of the industry." The lesson is that effective policy-making in any sector depends on listening to the granular knowledge of those who build and produce, rather than solely relying on theoretical directives.

Over 85% of buildings expected to be in use by 2050 are not yet renovated for energy efficiency. This isn't just a technical challenge but a systemic neglect of property owner obligations, requiring a fundamental shift in mindset from focusing solely on rights to embracing responsibilities.

The guest compares maintaining a building to taking a car for its annual service. The core issue in energy renovation isn't just funding, but a societal failure to acknowledge the owner's obligation to maintain property, shifting focus from a mentality of rights to one of routine, long-term care.

A recent public call for energy renovation funds saw all available money claimed in just 1.5 seconds. Despite the overall poor state of buildings, public interest and readiness to act on energy renovation can be unexpectedly high, serving as a strong signal for policymakers, even if the system struggles to keep pace.

The guest quotes Albert Einstein on spending 55 minutes thinking about a problem and 5 minutes solving it. While thorough preparation is essential, the sheer scale and urgency of energy renovation now demand a shift from prolonged deliberation to decisive action, because "these five minutes will pass quickly too."

The historical "discontinuity" of investment and incentives in energy renovation led to companies failing and public animosity. Sporadic, stop-and-go funding models erode public and industry trust, leading to market instability; sustained, predictable investment is crucial for building a resilient ecosystem.

The guest identifies a "huge problem" with finding enough skilled labor for energy renovation projects. Even with strong public interest and political will, the practical bottleneck for large-scale infrastructure and renovation efforts often lies in the availability of trained workers.

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