All on board part 2: Lubelskie meets with local stakeholders

The in – person event was organized on the 22 February 2024 at the premises of the Marshal Office of Lubelskie Voivodeship in Lublin.

In line with the semestral schedule, following subjects met for the second time:

• Ministry of Climate and Environment, Department of Renewable Energy Sources,
• Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management,
• Energy Management Office of the City of Lublin,
• Energy Regulatory Office,
• University of Life Sciences in Lublin,
• Niemce Commune and the Niemce Energy Cluster,
• Tomaszów Energy Cluster,
• Janowski Energy Cluster.

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Lubelskie Voivodeship (PL)

For the warm up, project coordinator recalled the assumptions of the implemented REC4EU project, presenting the participants with the lately launched project video material on the assumptions of functioning of energy communities. Later in the speech, the participants were given an outlook of the project's achievements thus far, including the completed SWOT analysis.

After words of introduction, a policy representative gave a presentation on specific regulations and directives in the context of RECs. The legislative path for their development, including its strong and weak points, was scrutinized, along with levels of potential of different renewable energy sources in the region.

The high point was a presentation on the selected Good Practices, prepared by a project expert as an afterthought on the practices that were presented during the project event in Granada. The Good Practices helped to formulate answers on specific questions: How to successfully educate the public on RECs?; How could the real actions be implemented?

On the Lubelskie’s side, the project Good Practices from Italy, France and Spain were met with the greatest interest, as model examples of uniting society against disparities through a bottom – up approach. In particular, the Spanish system of promoting RECs with help of regional Ambassadors was seen as an inspiring and pioneering idea for a successful initiation, as well as durability of RES communities.

Both presentations stimulated a lively discussion that pinpointed the hidden potentials and challenges. Along with discussing details of the present and future legislative path for the development of RECs, the participants were invited to apply to be considered as a guest stakeholder during the upcoming, May meeting in Pirkanma.

The invitation to apply to be selected as the Good Practice for the REC4EU event in Finland added to the excitement of anticipation of the next meeting, scheduled for June this year. Then, the results of the Finnish, project event will be discussed, together with changes to the regional document: Energy Policy in the Lublin Voivodeship until 2030.