Ricardo puts citizens across Europe in the driving seat for energy renovations

Buildings not only are significant contributors to energy use and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, but also have a big influence on European Union (EU) citizens’ and households' economic conditions as the quality and energy performance of buildings have a major impact on housing affordability. To address this, Ricardo is supporting on citizen-led renovation (CLR) alongside: Th!nk E, Think Europe, Go Parity, Steinbeis, Stefan Scheuer, eworx, the IEECP and Joanneum Research. The EU-funded support service will empower established and prospective energy communities to put citizens in the driving seat for energy renovations. The first pilot schemes have just been announced across Europe. Here, Ricardo’s James Roscoe, coordinator and task lead for CLR, explains the importance of energy communities to drive the global energy transition.  

Buildings are the largest energy consumer in the EU. They are responsible for approximately 40% of energy use and about a third (36%) of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The EU building stock varies significantly and more than 85% of it was built before 2001 and 85-95% of the buildings that exist today will still be standing in 2050. However, the energy renovation rates across the EU are suboptimal compared to long-term ambitions, being estimated that, on average, only about 1% of the EU building stock is renovated each year.

The CLR support service will strengthen community buildings and will enable communities to replicate energy renovation projects in the buildings of their members and surrounding citizens, including insulation, the installation of new technical systems and renewables. The support service will help communities to overcome financial, legal, technical, and information barriers to deliver future-proof residential buildings.
 
James explained: “Our objective is to establish partnerships for a collaborative effort spanning over two years. Together, we aim to advance citizen-led renovations across the European Union. Depending on specific needs, expectations and commitment, the project will provide the opportunity to access free tailored support in terms of administrative, technical, and communicative assistance and co-implement citizen-led renovation projects in a range of communities and contexts.”

Between April to June 2024, an open call for participation elicited 75 applications from 18 countries. The first six pilots have just been announced. They are:

1. Castello Green House (Italy): A cooperative energy community focused on energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy systems (RES) for residential buildings
2. Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Antrodoco (Italy): Aiming to improve energy efficiency in 12 residential buildings, targeting a 30-40% energy saving
3. REC of Postua and Guardabosone (Italy): Enhancing EE in 15 residential buildings, including those of families facing energy poverty
4. Girona Provincial Council (Spain): Promoting energy transition and efficiency enhancement in five energy communities
5. ZuidtrAnt (Belgium): Working on solar roofs and renovation coaching like in their Burenwerf project
6. Wohnungseigentümergemeinschaft der Liegenschaft 1020 Wien Ybbsstraße 6 (Austria): Focused on deep renovations and PV panel installations for 31 apartments

James said: “The open call targeted established and prospective energy communities, inviting citizen groups, local authorities, NGOs, and other organisations to lead renovation projects. We were very happy to announce the first pilots. By participating, these entities gain access to tailored, comprehensive support in administrative, technical, and communication aspects, ensuring effective project implementation and replication. Selected communities are committed to sharing information, mobilising citizens, hosting events, and demonstrating replication potential – in effect, serving as blueprints for other communities. This collaboration aims to create a dynamic platform for mutual learning and exchange among communities of varying experience levels.”

“As nations seek to transition from coal to renewable energy sources, energy communities can play a pivotal role in empowering European citizens to drive energy transition. These communities promote local renewable energy projects and increase citizen engagement and ownership in the energy sector.”

“There is widespread interest across Europe collectively to enhance energy efficiency in buildings and combat energy poverty through citizen empowerment and community-led initiatives. It’s really important that we nurture energy communities through technical assistance programs like CLR, which are crucial for supporting these transitions.”

Find out more

• Visit the dedicated citizen-led renovation website
• Join the citizen-led renovation network