Grunneger Power
Published on 30 January 2020
Netherlands
Groningen
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About this good practice
Grunneger Power develops energy projects in cooperation with the municipality of Groningen, whereby the municipality contributes financially (loan) or providing real estate (ground for rent). Furthermore, by making use of crowdfunding, financial loans of the bank and strategic marketing techniques Grunneger Power established several energy projects with regard to solar energy production or heat production.
The members of Grunneger Power are participating in the cooperative. Grunneger Power has established many projects in different sizes, all with the active involvement of citizitens of the local area. Furthermore, they inform (non) members actively on isolation, renewable energy production and energy efficiency. The involvement of these citizens lead to a high rate of social acceptance of the renewable energy projects they are developing.
The members of Grunneger Power are participating in the cooperative. Grunneger Power has established many projects in different sizes, all with the active involvement of citizitens of the local area. Furthermore, they inform (non) members actively on isolation, renewable energy production and energy efficiency. The involvement of these citizens lead to a high rate of social acceptance of the renewable energy projects they are developing.
Expert opinion
Community energy approaches are becoming more common as ways on engaging citizens, raising funding for local projects, and maximising the impact of investments by enabling co-operation between different actors. Grunneger Power is a strong example of more than 1,000 individuals co-operating in a city to fund the transition. The co-operative is linked with Energie VanOns, which sells energy generated by energy co-operatives, which may otherwise struggle with business management and logistics issues (see here: https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/3391/energie-vanons/). More information on both can be found here: https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/news/8770/supporting-renewable-energy-in-cities/
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
At the start in 2011, Grunneger Power was established as an Cooperative Association, whereby the citizens were active members. The first financial investment of 200.000 Euro was pre-financed (loan) by the municipality of Groningen.
Evidence of success
Grunneger Power establised a solar park of 7.777 solar panels producing 2.300 MW energy, . The number of members increased to over a thousand and is increasing.
Potential for learning or transfer
The establishment of Grunneger Power led to a wave of awareness on energy production. The local citizens that grouped together to make a change in their neighbourhood had a place to go to and start a energy producing project or scale up their production. Because this close relationship with the citizens, the social acceptance of projects is high and the willingness to invest in more projects is present.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Grunneger Power
Netherlands
Groningen
Contact
Sr. Lecturer | Researcher | Theme Coordinator