The trend of installing rooftop solar on public buildings to create energy communities is gaining momentum in Slovenia, with two more cities, Velenje and Kranj, joining the initiative. Similar projects were recently announced in Celje, Šoštanj, and Novo Mesto. Velenje plans to install solar power plants on 13 public buildings in cooperation with ECE, a […]
An overreliance on photovoltaics, combined with slow growth in the deployment of new technologies and storage, threatens Greece’s renewable energy future. The country achieved rapid growth in renewable energy in the past five years, and penetration has surpassed 50% of the electricity mix. However, the very success of the energy policies also led to significant […]
Legitimate energy communities have suffered in Greece, as private investors have been taking advantage of the status to promote disguised commercial projects. Normally, energy communities are set up to help citizens, businesses and other special consumer groups to benefit from lower energy costs using renewable energy. There are two categories: renewable energy communities (RECs) and […]
Citizens and businesses in Sofia will be able to invest in a photovoltaic system on a school rooftop as part of the first energy community. It would be a partnership between the city’s Vitosha District, individuals and legal entities. Following a few early initiatives in Bulgaria, the capital city decided to establish its first energy […]
The City of Celje in Slovenia plans to install 11 solar power plants on its public buildings, and the Municipality of Šoštanj agreed contracted four such units. The photovoltaic systems would be part of energy communities. Šoštanj expects to save EUR 70,000 per year while Celje is counting on EUR 200,000. Novo Mesto, another municipality […]
The ambitious Apollo program, which the Greek government outlined in late 2023, is losing EUR 100 million. The European Union earlier approved the grant for investments in renewable energy and storage, intended to lower energy costs for vulnerable consumers through self-consumption. The first phase of the Apollo program was envisaged to help vulnerable households. It […]
The Association of Energy Prosumers and Communities in Romania has called on the government to implement five measures that could swiftly reduce electricity bills. The measures target both individual homes and multi-apartment buildings, and results could be visible in up to 12 months, according to the Association of Energy Prosumers and Communities (APCE). The association […]
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to help shape its upcoming strategic roadmap for digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy sector. The roadmap aims to support the rollout of digital solutions, including AI, in areas important for decarbonization. The areas where the application of digital solutions and AI should be accelerated […]
North Macedonia drafted the Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources to facilitate a decrease in fossil fuel consumption and a rise in the share of green energy. The legislation introduces market premiums under two-way contracts for difference (CfDs), which would be approved through renewable energy auctions. It also regulates net metering and […]
The European Energy Communities Facility has launched its first call for proposals to support the development of comprehensive business plans for community energy projects. Emerging energy communities in 27 European Union member states, Iceland, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Ukraine can apply for a lump sum grant of EUR 45,000 per beneficiary. The European Energy Communities […]