Cities could play a greater role in energy transition, becoming hubs of energy efficiency innovation and expertise, pioneering measures to make urban environments more energy efficient and allowing the EU to meet the carbon reduction targets by 2030.
POTEnT combines European knowledge on energy transition
The Public Organisations Transform Energy Transition (POTEnT) is a new European project co-funded by Interreg Europe programme. POTEnT addresses the carbon reduction targets. A key challenge for European cities and regions is how to achieve more carbon reduction by harnessing the potential of direct and local action by citizens and communities. Local leaders are key actors to achieve the energy transition necessary to reach carbon reduction. Yet, they face many challenges in becoming actors in the energy market, and the knowledge arising from the forerunners in localising energy services does not always reach those who would benefit from it the most - other cities and energy agencies in Europe. This is where POTEnT aims to make a significant contribution.
Sharing successful transition measures
POTEnT will support the take-up and transfer of successful local energy transition measures and experiences already developed by cities and energy agencies in 8 European countries. An innovative knowledge transfer process and a mentoring programme, coordinated by Erasmus University and the Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics UPT, will facilitate the intensive inter-city learning so crucial to the project's success. Giulano Mingardo, senior researcher transport economics at Erasmus UPT: "Energy transition is a key issue for cities: we are honoured to participate in POTEnT and to help European cities to achieve their sustainability goals."
The 8 participants in POTEnT
The following cities and organisations are participating in POTEnT:
- ALOEN (Energy and climate local agency of South Brittany - Lead Partner)
- City of Parma (Italy)
- City of Pamplona (Spain)
- City of Milton Keynes (UK)
- City of Ostrava (Czeck Republic)
- Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden (Sweden)
- Tartu Regional Energy Agency (Estonia)
- Ettlingen Municipal Services Agency (Germany)
Ambitious aims
Through a close cooperation with local stakeholders, the eight partners will be able to improve local and regional policy instruments and leverage new investments of ERDF policy instruments and local plans, delivering ambitious long-term effects on carbon reduction.
By setting common goals POTEnT achieve its ambitious aims, which include developing or improving public Energy Services Company (ESCo), increasing investment in low carbon projects and empowering local decision-makers and communities to achieve more carbon reduction through better knowledge, quicker payback and a circular energy economy.
More information
You can find more information on POTEnT via interregeurope.eu