The lighthouse project aims to demonstrate how the advantages of collective prosumer models can be exploited by establishing energy cooperatives in rural Poland.
Status quo
In order to shape a region’s transition to renewable energies in a positive way in the sense of sustainable development of the local economy, innovative market models are needed. The so-called collective prosumer models make members of energy cooperatives both producers and consumers of energy and stimulate the energy transition in the region.
Poland has created the possibility of collective prosumption in “its” Renewable Energy Act – for energy cooperatives in rural areas. This is exactly where the project idea of ”RENALDO – Rural renewable development” comes in.
Poland has created the possibility of collective prosumption in “its” Renewable Energy Act – for energy cooperatives in rural areas. This is exactly where the project idea of ”RENALDO – Rural renewable development” comes in.
The project
In selected municipalities, newly founded energy cooperatives generated the necessary empirical knowledge so that the existing regulatory and institutional framework can be further improved and the idea of energy cooperatives becomes known throughout the country.
The goal of RENALDO to establish energy cooperatives in rural areas, which should serve as lighthouse projects and lead to further establishments in Poland, was achieved over the three-year project period.
The goal of RENALDO to establish energy cooperatives in rural areas, which should serve as lighthouse projects and lead to further establishments in Poland, was achieved over the three-year project period.
One of the most important project results is the very comprehensive manual on the establishment of energy cooperatives, commissioned by the 100 percent renewable energy foundation. In addition, a calculator has been set up on the Polish project website that cooperatives in the process of being established can use to optimize their energy mix and calculate investments.
The Polish Ministry of Agriculture, with which the project was carried out, plans to continue working on establishing energy cooperatives even after the funding project has ended. Among other things, there will be a new funding program and the establishment of an advisory infrastructure and a national forum for energy cooperatives is being planned.
The 100 percent renewable foundation carried out the project as a project partner together with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH (implementing partner) and the Polish project partner organizations KPODR – Kujawsko-Pomorski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego and the ACTIVUS Foundation.
Project data
Fundings:
Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) der Europäischen Kommission, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMU)
Duration:
12/2020-03/2023
Project partner:
100 prozent erneuerbar stiftung, Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Kujawsko-Pomorski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego (KPODR), Stiftung ACTIVUS
