Leading cooperation towards energy communities policies tackling energy poverty

ongoing

The introduction of Renewable Energy Communities (REC) seems to be one of the appropriate responses to reduce energy costs and adopting sustainable energy solutions (wind, turbines, and solar panels) of whom communities could benefit from, also contributing to address EU energy targets, such as those identified by the European Green Deal. However, REC raises questions on the ways in which this introduction should be enacted, and the role of law in this context. The Renewable Energy Directive – RED II is part of the so-called clean energy package promoted by the European Union. Moreover, art. 22 of RED II obliges Member States to introduce an enable framework to promote and favour the development of REC. Therefore, Regions and local authorities have the task to create this framework within their Regional and Local Energy Strategies. However, this process is still far behind schedule and has not yet started in some EU countries. For this reason, the LEEWAY project, aims to foster the adoption of energy policies for the creation of REC through the sharing and exchange of experiences between public authorities and regions. To get this purpose, the project foresees the participation of local and regional authorities, from different EU countries (ITA, BE, PL, D, HR) directly responsible for the elaboration and implementation of energy development policies, together with development agencies. Through Study Tour, workshops and conferences at regional and interregional level, as well as mutual exchange of experiences, good practices and new ideas, each partner will be able to intervene on their energy policies related to the introduction of REC, also acting on policies concerning jobs and growth such as ROPs for the reference sector, improving the citizens well-being and contrasting the Energy Poverty.

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