The first Energy Cooperative in Romania
About this good practice
Cooperativa de Energie is the first energy community in Romania that provides 100% green energy, with certificates of origin.
The main objective of the Cooperative is to facilitate in Romania the energy transition towards a market covered 100% with energy from renewable sources and in which the citizen plays an active role, being able to become a consumer and investor in green energy.
It began in 2018 with only 15 members and now grew to over 970 members from allover the country.
In May 2021, through the contribution of its members, the Cooperative acquired an existing energy company, and entered the market as the first 100% green energy producer and supplier in Romania, with certificates of origin.
“We invest in green energy!” is the first investment project in Romania through which an energy community such as the Cooperativa became an energy supplier.
The project ran for 80 days, during which more than 100 cooperative members chose to invest 400.000 Euros in green energy, supporting the Cooperative's market entry.
For its members, the Energy Cooperative aims to launch an investment program in renewable energy, especially photovoltaic energy. Thus, with money collected from members, either new production capacities can be generated or existing capacities can be purchased.
The Energy Cooperative will launch a system of Collective Purchase that will facilitate cooperative members buying at favourable prices various products: photovoltaic panels, electric cars/scooters, etc.
Resources needed
In this example, the Energy Cooperative project ran for 80 days, during which more than 100 cooperative members chose to invest a total of 400.000 Euros in green energy, supporting the Cooperative's energy market entry.
Evidence of success
“Cooperativa de Energie” is the first energy community in Romania that provides 100% green energy, with certificates of origin. It represents the first entity of its kind in an environment dominated by very large energy players, representing a realalternative for consumers.
Currently, there are 970 members in the Energy Cooperative, 362 consumers and 66 corporate clients and over 2 GWh of green energy were provided only in 2023 to its customers.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Energy Cooperative, together with 1500 other sister cooperatives, are part of REScoop, the European Federation of Renewable Energy Cooperatives. Being a 100% green producer, the Energy Cooperative has a high potential of learning and transfer in all EU regions.
The entity also works as a cooperative where each member has one vote which is unique for energy providers in Romania!
In the near future, the Cooperative will produce green electricity, and cooperative members will be able to invest in its solar or wind projects. This will represent an important example also for future initiatives of this type in Romania and beyond.
The main objective of the Cooperative is to facilitate in Romania the energy transition towards a market covered 100% with renewable energy and in which the citizen plays an active role, being able to become a consumer and investor in green energy. This is an important objective for reaching the national and regional ambitions towards climate neutrality.
Further information
Good practice owner
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