The European Energy Communities Facility, also known as the ENERCOM Facility, is a European Union [EU] initiative that aims to strengthen and support the development of Energy Communities across Europe, Iceland, Moldova, North Macedonia and Ukraine. By its end in 2028, the initiative aims to support the development of at least 140 Energy Communities that comply with the definition of a “Renewable Energy Community”* or a “Citizens’ Energy Community”**, or that are developed by legal entities that seek to qualify as such.

Support will be provided in the form of one-off grants totaling 7 million euros and personalized skill development programs to help potential beneficiaries (mostly: citizen groups and businesses, and on the other hand: Local Government Authorities) to develop their business models. The 1η Call for Proposals opened on June 2 and will remain open until September 30, 2025Successful proposals will ensure a one-time grant of 45.000 euros each.

To learn more, visit the website: https://energycommunitiesfacility.eu/ or contact Ms. Rafaelia Nikodimou in the email rafaelia.nikodimou@cea.org.cy or at 22667851.

The ENERCOM Facility is funded by the EU under the LIFE programme. It is managed by an international consortium of experienced organisations and supported by a network of 29 national experts - including the Cyprus Energy Office - who provide their guidance.

It is worth noting that this initiative contributes to the EU's ambitious climate goals by encouraging local and collective action towards a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition. It started in September 2024 and will last until February 2028.

NOTES

  • Regulatory framework to promote and facilitate the development of Citizen Energy Communities and Renewable Energy Communities
  • *“Renewable Energy Community” means a legal entity whose:
    • is based on open and voluntary participation, has autonomy and is under the effective control of shareholders or members who are close to the renewable energy projects owned and developed by that legal entity,
    • the shareholders or members are natural persons, small and medium-sized enterprises or local authorities and municipalities,
    • the primary objective is to provide its shareholders or members or the local areas where it operates, with environmental, economic and social benefits at the community level and not financial profits
    • Source: www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/2022_1_107/full.html
  • **"Citizens' Energy Community" means the legal entity that:
    • is based on voluntary and open participation and is under the effective control of partners or members who are natural persons, local authorities, including municipalities, or small businesses,
    • has as its primary purpose to provide environmental, economic and social benefits at the community level for its members or partners or the local areas where it operates rather than to generate financial profits, and
    • may be active in the production, including production from renewable sources, in the distribution and supply of electricity, in consumption services, cumulative representation, energy storage, energy efficiency services, electric vehicle charging services, or in the provision of other energy services to its partners or members
    • Source: www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/2021_1_130/full.html
  • The Electricity Market Regulation Law of 2021 (130(I)/2021) / Citizens' Energy Communities

NEWS & UPDATES

The ENERCOM Facility is co-financed by the LIFE program of the European Union.

The views and opinions expressed herein, however, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.