The first few months of the year have been intense for the EC4RURAL partners, with the organisation of the first information meetings in the 34 communities in Galicia and Estonia that are part of the project. Through a bottom-up approach, the aim is to encourage the creation of many more citizen-led rural energy communities that will produce their own electricity using photovoltaic panels.
Since the first meetings with the neighbourhood on 19th and 23rd February in Outes and Moeche (A Coruña), the agenda for March and April is filled with another twenty meetings. Participation is being encouraged both through the project’s social networks and through the town councils themselves.
Two work phases
The EC4RURAL project is divided into two work phases that will be developed during the implementation period 2023-2027. The first phase, currently underway, is the set-up phase, which will last until July 2025. During these months, in addition to presenting the EC4RURAL project, the technical team is gathering information in order to identify the specific energy needs of each municipality, which will serve as a basis for designing the energy plans of the local communities through a participatory process.
The second phase of work is the so-called empowerment phase, which will begin in August 2025 and end in September 2027. During this phase, the technical team will advise the neighbourhood to decide on business models, technologies, legal and financial solutions, governance structure, grid access, licensing procedures, investments and public subsidies.
Calendar of meetings
Galicia
19th February | Municipality of Outes, A Coruña
23rd February | Municipality of Moeche, A Coruña
7th March | Municipality of Vedra, Pontevedra
25th March | Municipality of Silleda, Pontevedra
4th April | Municipality of Valadouro, Lugo
5th April | Municipality of Avión, Ourense
9th April | Municipality of Tomiño, Pontevedra
12th April | Municipality of Becerreá, Lugo
29th April | Municipality of Monterroso, Lugo
30th April | Municipality of Ourol, Lugo
6th May | Municipality of Mazaricos, A Coruña
13th May | Municipality of Sober, Lugo
16th May | Municipality of Palas de Rei, Lugo
27th May | Municipality of A Pobra de Brollón, Lugo
5th July | Municipality of Tomiño, Pontevedra
23rd July | Municipality of Salvaterra de Miño, Pontevedra
Estonia
7th March | Lääne-Harju vald, Lääne-Harju Koostöökogu
12th March | Viimsi vald Põhja-Harju Koostöökogu
13th March | Türi vald, Lõuna-Järvamaa Koostöökogu
27th March | Tori vald, Rohelise Jõemaa Koostöökogu
28th March | Põltsamaa vald, Jõgevamaa Koostöökoda
2nd April | Järva vald, Järva Arengu Partnerid
4th April | Hiiumaa vald, Hiidlaste Koostöökogu
9th April | Viru-Nigula vald, Virumaa Koostöökogu
10th April | Alutaguse vald, Peipsi-Alutaguse Koostöökoda
23rd April | Saku vald, Nelja Valla Kogu
24th April | Rõuge vald, Võrumaa Partnerluskogu
30th April | Elva vald, Tartumaa Arendusselts
