What is a
Sustainable Energy Community?
The Rio summit established
the concept of local sustainable development plans known as AGENDA 21. In
conjunction with EU Energy policy and legal initiatives these local energy
communities can pioneer the application of integrated measures required to
attain our global commitments and can become showcases for the dissemination of
those concepts around Europe. Given their showcase character, sustainable
energy communities must aim to reach objectives much beyond the global EU
objectives.
Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) are in
brief defined as:
"Local communities in which politicians,
planners, developers, market actors and citizens actively co-operate to
demonstrate and develop high degrees of decentralized energy supply, favouring
renewable energies as sources, together with a conscientious application of
energy efficiency measures in all end-use sectors".
A SEC process would
impact the local Community by?
- Increasing
use of renewable energy
- Improving
energy efficiency
- Improving local environment
- Improving comfort
- Improving
employment
- Improving
competitiveness
- Attracting
investors
- Attracting
financing
- Attracting new people to the
community
- Improving economy and
welfare
- Improving visibility
of the community
- Facilitating
meeting national or international requirements
- Engaging
the community in international co-operation
