MENERGERS Conference: Cities Pioneering Energy Efficiency and Climate Neutrality Solutions

On October 1st, the conference “Integrating Local Perspectives into National Energy and Climate Strategies” was held in Bucharest. Organised by Energy Cities Romania (OER), the event gathered representatives from local and national authorities, international experts and energy sector leaders to discuss solutions for transitioning to climate-neutral and energy-independent communities.

by Magdalena Neicu, OER

Published: 21 October 2024
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The way we manage our cities has a significant impact on community development, as well as the stability of our economy and society, influencing long-term resilience. Cities have the potential and the will to make a difference. Experiencing first-hand the negative impacts of carbon emissions, as well as the benefits of meticulous local planning in energy and climate, cities seek to implement solutions that bring them closer to climate neutrality and a clean environment. All these considerations, as well as the project results in figures from EUKI project MENERGERS, were the topics of discussion opened by Leea Mihailă (OER). In the opening remarks, Maria Minkova (National Trust EcoFund) highlighted the remarkable successes of the project in the involved cities and outlined a clear vision for ambitious future objectives. Bulgaria, represented by Zdravko Georgiev (Sofia Energy Agency), and Germany, represented by Oliver Ritter (Independent Institute for Environmental Issues), provided different perspectives on how this project can become a replicable model for other countries.

During the conference, the impact of EUKI project MENERGERS on pilot cities in Bulgaria and Romania was underscored through concrete examples of energy management measures implemented in cities such as Ruse, Sapareva Banya, Svilengrad, Alba Iulia, Sfântu Gheorghe, and Zalău.

Mr Sorin Elisei (Ministry of Energy) presented Romania’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), emphasising the essence of close cooperation between local and national authorities to ensure the effective implementation of measures within the NECP. According to him, by the end of 2025, there will be a clear picture of the progress Romania has made.

Mariana Țînțărean (OER) analysed the challenges and opportunities for the development of Energy Communities, providing recommendations for improving the legal framework and their operation. Andrei Ceclan (Servelect) continued with a concrete example, illustrating the benefits of Energy Communities in ensuring energy security and protecting vulnerable consumers, referencing the village of Buteni, where over 180 homes are already equipped with solar panels.

Andrei Ceclan expanded the discussion to urban energy management, emphasising that, in the current context of climate change and the energy crisis, cities can no longer view energy efficiency merely as a legal requirement but as an essential necessity for their future. He stressed that energy-efficient solutions not only comply with legislation but also ensure a sustainable future for citizens. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources can contribute to reducing costs and increasing the energy resilience of urban communities. Additionally, he presented innovative solutions that can be implemented locally to optimise energy consumption and protect vulnerable consumers.

One of the significant achievements of EUKI project MENERGERS, is the Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement, intended for use by local public administration in technical documentation, was presented by Irina Tatu (OER) as a tool designed to support municipal staff in achieving energy efficiency objectives.

Matei Dimitriu (Ministry of Energy) pointed out the importance of municipal energy management, emphasising the necessity of private partnerships to overcome obstacles and streamline processes.

The energy management model developed by Bulgaria within EUKI project MENERGERS is remarkable for having largely operated without adequate legislative support, relying on voluntary commitments and strategic partnerships. Although the lack of formal institutionalisation and the deficit of specialised personnel have been identified as major challenges, Bulgaria compensated by developing a network of experts and creating a robust structure in pilot municipalities such as Ruse, Sapareva Banya, and Svilengrad. The vision and political support of the three mayors played a crucial role in the successful kick-off of the pilot initiative and the chance to test the operations of the model before proposing updates to the Government of Bulgaria’s legislation. The three cities have successfully implemented energy efficiency measures and created new management models that optimise energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As we know, innovation usually comes before the legislation.

One interesting aspect that emerged from the joint dialogue between Romania and Bulgaria is the collaborative approach and the emphasis on sharing best practices, despite legislative and institutional differences.

The event highlighted the crucial role of innovation and cooperation in achieving energy objectives. Solutions such as joint procurement were presented as effective ways to reduce costs and improve resource management in local communities.

The conference demonstrated the commitment of all parties involved to building a sustainable and secure energy future for communities in Bulgaria, Germany, and Romania.

Responsible for the content of this article is EUKI project MENERGERS – Energy Managers’ Services in Municipalities

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