
Empowering Green Future: Advancing Energy Auditing and Certification in Armenia and Georgia

As the global push for energy efficiency intensifies, the role of energy auditors and certifiers has become important in driving green economic development. These professions do more than assess energy performance—they play a part in transforming the construction sector into a greener and more inclusive domain.
For countries like Armenia and Georgia, where energy dependence and environmental challenges are pressing issues, fostering a skilled workforce in energy efficiency is not just an economic opportunity but a pathway to resilience and sustainability.
Armenia is significantly dependent on Russia for energy resources, especially natural gas, and partially in Iran. According to Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia, the great part of natural gas supply is from Russia, accounting for 87.5% of the imported natural gas, with the remaining 12.5% supplied by Iran. Thus, Armenia is not self-sufficient in securing the energy resources required for producing electricity.
Recognizing the need for qualified experts, RECONOMY is working with local institutions to equip a new generation of professionals with the tools and knowledge to lead this transformation.
With the support of RECONOMY, the National Polytechnic University of Armenia (NPUA) and the Energy Efficiency Center Georgia (EECG) are developing educational modules and conducting courses for the professional training and retraining of energy auditors and energy performance certifiers.
The first specialized program in Armenia
Recognizing the lack of specialized expertise in the field, NPUA initiated discussions with the private sector and decided to develop educational modules to address this gap.
During the preparation of the educational modules, NPUA‘s working team held meetings with over 50 companies, state institutions, and international organizations in Armenia to identify the existing needs in the labor market in this sector.
These companies also expressed their willingness to provide internship opportunities to the participants after completion of this training course.
“We have agreements with both the private sector and international organizations, as well as various state institutions, all of which have expressed their willingness to support the program’s beneficiaries in starting their professional careers,” Hayk Igityan says.
Tigran Shekoyan, with over 40 years of experience in energy sector, highlights that the energy auditor training program implemented by NPUA is the first of its kind in Armenia.
“Until now, those working in the sector have been individuals with related specializations who have been engaged in energy auditing based only on their work experience. With the support of RECONOMY, NPUA provides a unique opportunity for young people to gain a narrow specialization in the sector,” he says.
From the perspective of ensuring the continuity of the program, NPUA works on establishing a “Save Energy” student-youth center within its premises with the support of RECONOMY. It will serve as a hub aimed at creating a green, renewable, and energy efficient environment while promoting the involvement of women and youth in this sector. The center will unite beneficiaries, specialists, and experts in the sector around a common goal, becoming a unique venue for the implementation of innovative ideas and the exchange of experience.
National Polytechnic University of Armenia to train energy auditors
NPUA, in collaboration with local and international experts, has developed two-month and six-month courses of the “Skills development in energy efficient construction” educational program, with content adapted to the level of sector-specific knowledge and prior preparation of the applicants.
According to Hayk Igityan, Scientific Director of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Research Laboratory at NPUA, the target group for the program was determined based on the need to rejuvenate the professional workforce in the energy efficiency sector.
“Most specialists in the sector are over the age of 55, and there is an urgent need to bring in younger professionals. At the same time, the potential of women in the energy efficiency sector is not being fully used. We believe that this program will help address this gap and promote gender equality in the sector” he said.
The six-month educational module provides job-seeking women and young people with the opportunity to acquire the specialization of an energy auditor, which is in demand in the labor market of Armenia.
The six-month course on preparation of energy auditors was launched in Armenia in November 2024, with the support of the RECONOMY Program. Nineteen young women have enrolled in the course, their participation being co-financed by the United Nations Development Program in Armenia.
The upcoming two-month training course is designed for professionals working in the fields of energy and construction who wish to specialize in the field of energy auditing.
Armenia can achieve up to 60 percent energy savings through effective energy auditing
Experts in the sector emphasize that Armenia has a demand for energy auditors, a demand that is expected to increase further. Armenia is also involved in several international treaties and agreements that require the country to take action to enhance energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and tackle environmental challenges.
“Currently, the main document regulating the sector of energy auditing in construction is the Government Decision No. 426, which establishes the technical regulations for energy saving and energy efficiency in newly constructed buildings. However, it has not yet been fully and widely implemented “, Shekoyan says.
Nevertheless, he believes that Armenia will eventually transition to the widespread application of energy auditing. The first and most impact may be on the construction sector leading to more energy efficient buildings, which will increase consumer interest towards them. Also, it will contribute to production cost reduction leading to an increase in the competitiveness of Armenian products not only within the country, but also abroad.
This will also contribute to the reduction of emissions and the improvement of public health and quality of life. Taking account the fact, that in recent times, the level of air pollution in Armenia, particularly in the capital city of Yerevan, has reached hazardous levels, as indicated by air quality monitoring devices, this issue has become a topic of widespread public discussion. The Mayor of Yerevan has also addressed the problem, instructing relevant specialists to develop a four-year plan to reduce air pollution levels. Therefore, reducing air pollution levels and improving health are becoming increasingly important, goals that can be significantly supported by the full implementation of green construction and energy auditing.
Shekoyan emphasizes that if the professional potential of energy auditors is fully used in Armenia the country can have energy savings of 40 to 60 percent: “For a small country like ours, which is dependent on energy from other countries, this is a very big and important indicator”.
Georgia is moving towards the path of training energy certifiers
The Law of Georgia on Energy Efficiency of Buildings establishes requirements and standards to improve the energy performance of buildings, reduce energy consumption, and promote sustainable development in compliance with international best practices. With the amendments set to take effect in the upcoming year, the demand for energy certifiers is expected to increase significantly. To address this gap, an educational program for training energy certifiers has been developed with support from RECONOMY and is being implemented by EECG.
Individuals with higher education and about 5 years’ experience in energy, architecture, or related sectors will have the opportunity to participate in this training course. At the end of the course, participants will receive an Energy Performance Certifier specialist’s certificate.
According to the EECG Director, George Abulashvili, energy efficiency certifiers are more than essential in Georgia today, given the country’s legislation on the energy efficiency of buildings and the need to comply with EU standards.
“Any building or part of a building that will be sold or rented after December 31, 2025, should have an energy efficiency certification. If the owners sell or give for a rent the property without certification, fines and penalties will be imposed on them. Public buildings are also subject to certification”, Abulashvili says.
Up to 10 participants will take part in the first stage of the educational program of energy certifiers. Overall, approximately 50 specialists are expected to be trained by the end of 2025, while expansion of the training offer to other regions of Georgia through partnerships with universities is expected. Upon completing the six-week program, participants will be awarded relevant certificates, granting them the right to provide services outlined by the certification.
“The program is designed to prepare highly qualified specialists with in-depth knowledge of Georgian energy efficiency legislation and requirements, methods for assessing the energy efficiency of buildings, and technical safety standards. By the end of the course, energy certifiers will be equipped to collect, analyze, and evaluate the energy efficiency of buildings and recommend innovative, effective solutions,” Gia Arabidze, an expert in the field, emphasizes. Arabidze has played an active role in developing the program’s educational modules.
The positive impact of building certification, in the form of cost reduction, will be evident for citizens, as well as for the state and private sectors in near future. He notes that in case of purchasing an apartment with an energy efficiency passport, citizens will have full control over the energy efficiency indicators of the building. As a result, they will be able to consume less energy and pay less. This will be the most widespread impact of the work of energy certifiers on citizens.
It is expected that operating costs of construction companies, maintenance costs of energy systems of buildings will be also reduced. There will also be reductions in terms of environmental pollution.
Abulashvili believes that the demand for energy certifiers will continue to increase in the upcoming years.
“We assume that the number of buildings to be certified at the beginning (meaning in 2026, 2027, and 2028) will be around 10,000 annually. So, to provide these kinds of services, there is a stringent need to have at least 500 professionals in the market.
It’s important to mention that building certifiers will not operate as a company. Instead, these will be individuals licensed to certify buildings and provide services to construction companies, building owners, building developers, or anyone involved in the real estate market. That is why this profession is mandated by law, and the law guarantees employment or service requirements for them. This means it is essential to have such professionals ready by the end of 2025”.
Opportunities and prospects for regional cooperation
The energy efficiency educational programs being developed and implemented in Armenia and Georgia create significant opportunities for collaboration not only between the two countries but also within the broader region, particularly in the field of green, energy efficient construction.
In recent years, both the public and private construction sectors in Armenia and Georgia have been rapidly developing. Igityan sees this as a valuable opportunity for joint efforts in the creation of common regional green construction standards with the engagement of Armenian and Georgian experts and specialists.
The exchange of experiences and mutual consultations are also important in advancing the sector in the region.
“If Georgia and Armenia continue to make progress in energy efficiency policies, there will soon be a growing need for energy efficiency certifiers in Armenia as well. We will be happy to share our experience in energy efficiency certification with our Armenian partners,” Abulashvili says.
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