Uniting stakeholders in the first energy community in Bulgaria
About this good practice
Gabrovo Municipality is addressing the challenge of ensuring a fair and accelerated energy transition by actively involving citizens, SMEs, and NGOs in the establishment of energy cooperatives. The initiative is driven by the need for decentralized, community-led renewable energy production, reducing dependence on conventional sources while fostering local engagement. As part of its commitment to the Climate City Contract, Gabrovo is implementing innovative participatory models to engage stakeholders in achieving climate neutrality.
The implementation of the initiative follows a structured and transparent process, ensuring broad stakeholder engagement. The initiative follows a structured process, ensuring transparency and broad participation. It began with an awareness campaign to attract investors and explain the cooperative’s benefits. Investment contracts were signed, and a General Assembly was established to support democratic decision-making. Regular meetings keep members informed, while the municipality coordinates activities and ensures transparency.
Key stakeholders are 73 members, including citizens from Gabrovo and other cities and 6 SMEs. With the first 10 kWh solar park completed on the roof of the Regional Landfill for Non-Hazardous Waste, members are already benefiting. Building on this success, a new photovoltaic installation is underway, with efforts to attract more investors and expand the energy community.
Resources needed
The amount of the investment is BGN 160,000, managed by six professionals. The expertise of ten energy community specialists has been enhanced. The upcoming solar projects are expected to mobilize at least €500,000 in civic investment. Any surplus energy generated will be efficiently utilized.
Evidence of success
• Gabrovo Energy Community became a working model for citizen participation in the energy transition. The model has already been replicated.
• Energy Community brought transformation in the energy market - energy independence for end users, reduced energy costs and emissions.
• Effective strategy for involving stakeholders - clear and understandable messages in the information campaign for establishing energy community
Potential for learning or transfer
The first energy community in Bulgaria has already set up a good example and inspired the establishment of the next three – in Burgas, Sofia and Gabrovo again. The model of energy communities as a practical way of active civil participation in green transition has proved to be easy to replicate. Gabrovo energy community is the only one involving a public authority – the Municipality that coordinates the involvement of citizens and companies, makes preliminary research and assessment, provides public property for the installation of the PV, spreads information and digitalises the whole process for citizens to minitor it.
In 2024 Gabrovo energy community was awarded 1 prize for good practices by the Institute for Public Administration in Bulgaria.
Being also part of the Energy Community Platform, Gabrovo energy community offers all the support for sharing expertise, resources, advice and colloboration for the creation of new energy communities to join the energy revolution.
Further information
We are Energy Community Gabrovo (in Bulgarian Languauge)
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