Context
For the energy transition to succeed in a given region, it must have a positive impact on the development of the local economy. This requires innovative market models: one example comes in the form of collective-prosumer models. The members of these energy cooperatives both produce and consume energy. These models aim to motivate regional actors to continue expanding renewable energy sources and increase acceptance via their local approach.
Because people in Poland have hardly any previous experience with energy cooperatives, beacon projects are necessary. These projects demonstrate how collective-prosumer models work and the advantages they hold for society, the economy and the climate.
Objective
Collective-prosumer models promote the expansion of renewable energy in rural areas of Poland and support local development in the process.
Approach
The project supports pilot municipalities in Poland’s Podlaskie and Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeships in preparing collective-prosumer models and gaining skills in this field. It does this by holding workshops and promoting the exchange of information. In addition, the project is creating a manual for establishing energy cooperatives, which will serve as a guide for other municipalities in Poland.
The project identifies obstacles and develops recommendations to improve the legal framework and point out possible sources of support. To achieve this, it works together with local interest groups and municipal policy-makers. It is supported by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MRiRW).
The project is jointly implemented by the German foundation ‘100 Prozent erneuerbar Stiftung’ (‘100 per cent renewable foundation’) and the two Polish partners: the Kuyavian-Pomeranian agricultural extension centre (Kujawsko-Pomorski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego (KPODR)) and the ACTIVUS foundation.
Last update: April 2022