Niepołomice has been supporting its residents in the sustainable use of energy for many years, including through programs that finance solar installations on private buildings. In 2023, the municipality launched a Technical Support Program called "Energy cooperatives as an answer to the problem of energy poverty in Niepołomice." As part of this cooperation, work is being carried out in Niepolomice to ensure a just energy transition and combat energy poverty among residents.
Representatives of the Department of Air Protection and eco-advisors are helping residents with energy-saving investments, while the local anti-smog resolution enforces increasingly stringent regulations. However, support is needed to mitigate the impact of energy poverty on vulnerable households.
Activities under this program are funded by EPAH's Energy Poverty Advisory Center, which aims to provide local government units and cooperating entities with assistance in analyzing the phenomenon of energy poverty in their area and planning local measures to help reduce it. Niepołomice is the third city in Poland to benefit from this support, and the only one in the country selected in the second call.
The program has been running since September 2023, and involves not only representatives of the Niepołomice Town and Municipality, but also the Better Niepołomice Foundation or the Cracow Metropolis Association, while the role of expert is played by the Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités." In the first months of this cooperation, discussions took place to select the best form of energy community that would bring the greatest benefit to its potential members. After consultations with experts and confirmation from the National Center for Agricultural Support, it was decided on a pilot project involving 10 households living in one multi-family building.
"Energy cooperatives are a novelty, but also the future and security. These entities bring together households that can afford an energy transition with those who do not have the means to do so. The end result of such a project is that all participants in the energy cooperative have cheaper electricity," explains Roman Ptak, mayor of Niepołomice.
This is a unique solution nationwide, so we hope that the planned steps will contribute to tangible results, i.e. the creation of an energy cooperative, which will include 1 to 3 energy-sensitive households (without having to contribute to the purchase of a PV installation), while the remaining members will contribute to the cost of a photovoltaic installation on the roof of their own multi-family building. In this way, all residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of membership in such an energy community. The Office of the City and Municipality of Niepolomice has announced its assistance and support for the founders of the energy cooperative in the area of necessary documentation or financing options for the installation.
"An energy cooperative is not only a new model of energy management, it is also a social movement that is gaining popularity, but most importantly it is a financial benefit for its members. Today, when the environment and energy security are priorities, energy cooperatives are becoming a key element in the transformation of the energy sector. Their democratic nature, focus on renewable energy sources and local benefits make them an inspiring model for the future of energy, building bridges towards a more sustainable and democratic society." - emphasizes the Niepolomice magistrate.
A meeting with local leaders was also held in Niepolomice on February 7, 2024, with the topic of possible forms of support for vulnerable energy consumers. During the event, the planned concept for combating energy poverty in Niepolomice using the benefits of energy cooperatives was presented. The results of the activities of the Technical Support Program in Niepolomice will soon be shared by all interested residents.
More information about the Energy Poverty Advisory Center and its activities can be found at: http://www.pnec.org.pl/pl/epah (PL) and https://energy-poverty.ec.europa.eu/index_en.
The above text uses excerpts from articles:
"Niepołomice przecierają szlaki. Znalazły sposób na walkę z ubóstwem energetycznym"
"Zainteresuj się, bo warto – co to jest spółdzielnia energetyczna?"
https://www.niepolomice.eu/gospodarka/zainteresuj-sie-bo-warto-co-to-jest-spoldzielnia-energetyczna (PL)
