Alba County, RO - Integrating energy sustainability at local ... - Fedarene

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Alba County, RO - Integrating energy sustainability at local and regional levels Time period: 2007 - 2012 Theme of collaboration: Developing sustainable energy plans, Implementing modelling/monitoring/planning tools, Engaging stakeholders in energy plans

Application: Energy efficiency, Renewable energy production, GHG reduction Topics: Cooperation in Regional SEAP design, Support and promotion of local initiatives and good practices, CoM-related technical support to municipalities, Awareness raising initiatives

Description Since 2007, Alba County Council has adopted a strong sustainable energy policy for a better development of Alba County. A set of integrated actions has been planned:  developing a strong vision for a sustainable future development  evaluating the local renewable energy potentials  setting up plans for sustainable energy at county and local levels  organising the management to develop the actions  mobilising funds for demonstrative projects  supporting the development of local markets for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources  capacity building activities for key staff of local authorities and main stakeholders  raising the level of citizens' knowledge in terms of energy savings and environmental protection

Context / Background Alba County has many natural resources which have not yet been harnessed. There is a high level of specific energy consumption in some economic sectors in Romania and Alba County. Meanwhile, several heavy industry companies have closed and generated unemployment. Also, energy bills represent an important part of the average spending of a household. Sustainable energy policies are required for all these reasons, and Alba County Council has assumed a leading role in this matter with an integrated approach.

Financing & costs Different sources are used to finance all these types of actions:  European funds  National programmes  Public funds at local and county level  Private funds

Alba 2010 RES Conference

Key results 80 staff members trained Alba Energy Agency created First Alba Energy Masterplan 10 new Covenant of Mayors signatory municipalities  8 SEAPs designed    

Partners involved - Governance Alba County Council – Covenant of Mayors Territorial Coordinator Alba Local Energy Agency – ALEA Regional Development Agency ”Centru” 10 Local Councils – Covenant signatories: Alba Iulia (County Seat), Cugir, Aiud, Zlatna, Teius, Ciugud, Ighiu, Pianu, Sintimbru, Berghin. In the next period several other local authorities (out of the total number of 76 in Alba County) are expected to sign the Covenant initiative. Alba County together with the Regional Development Agency ”Centru” work on promoting the Covenant and its actions within the Centre Development Region of Romania.    

Similar Initiatives – Transferability You can find information on how to become a Covenant Territorial Coordinator on this webpage: http://bit.ly/1mJbEsG

Results achieved    

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Establishment of Alba Local Energy Agency (ALEA, 2008) as the main body promoting sustainable energy at the county level; Evaluation of the renewable energy potential in Alba County; Adopting the first Energy Masterplan of Alba County (2011) elaborated by ALEA; Technical support to several Alba County local authorities in becoming Covenant signatories and in developing their SEAP – Sustainable Energy Action Plan (2009-2013). Implementation and promotion of small demonstration projects in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources (RES); Organisation, with ALEA, of public awareness-raising events on sustainable energy (the most successful ones in terms of number of active participants is E Cool Campaign for high school students and, since 2008, the annually organised ALEA RES FAIR).

Lessons learned & Success factors The key for a regional public authority is to start with a very good knowledge of the energy savings and renewable energy development potentials, as well as the needs of the local communities. Then priorities can be determined and matched.

Alba County

Then it is essential to build the capacity of local stakeholders and decision makers on sustainable energy issues. In Alba County the strong support of high level political dissidents towards sustainable development policies has been of crucial importance. Mobilising citizens to play their part in saving energy in their everyday lives is another essential part of the work.

Contact

Access to funding resources for the demonstration projects is the very important next period, requiring:

Florin ANDRONESCU

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national programmes for energy efficiency and renewable energy better legislation to enable private funding (public-privatepartnership, energy performance contracting, green procurement, etc).

Director of Alba Local Energy Agency [email protected] www.alea.ro www.cjalba.ro