Why Regions? Why Energy Agencies?

In response to the first oil crisis in the seventies, the first regional energy agencies were created to support regions and municipalities in managing their energy supply and demand. Since then, EU’s Regions and local/regional Energy Agencies have become effective delivery agents of the energy transition in their territories. Today, regional and local energy agencies are the European Commission’s territorial anchors, ensuring European policies achieve their full potential in improving the life of citizens, achieving carbon neutrality and building a sustainable society.

Regions and their energy agencies stand ready to upscale and replicate across Europe the many energy transition programmes already implemented, securing Europe’s energy system in a sustainable way.

Regions and their energy agencies have the solutions to Repower Europe. 

Regions 

European integration through interregional cooperation 

Regions are uniquely positioned to lead the energy transition due to their proximity to their direct stakeholders and particular roles in housing, transport, and territorial planning. They excel in aggregating local projects and facilitating interregional cooperation for effective climate and energy strategies.

• Access to information: Regions have access to all information and data concerning technology, aids, and markets that are necessary for decision-makers. They understand the peculiarity of their territory.  
• Regional approach: Regions can take a more holistic approach to green energy transition by considering the entire energy system, including energy production, distribution, and consumption. They can identify local energy resources, infrastructure, and demand, thus design tailored solutions to address specific needs. 
• Local engagement: The proximity to local agents allows regions to engage local communities, businesses, and policymakers, creating a sense of ownership and participation. This approach can increase public support for green energy initiatives and make the transition more sustainable. 
• Policy implementation: Regions have the ability to sensitise and communicate with decision-makers, as well the authority to implement policies that support the green energy transition, such as building codes, renewable energy targets, and energy efficiency programs. They can work with other regions and national governments to create a more coordinated and effective approach to policy implementation. 
• Innovation: Regions are often pioneers and drivers of the energy transition, continuously developing new services, solutions, and ways of working. They can experiment with new technologies and business models and share their experiences and best practices with other regions. 
• Adaptation: Regions are leaders of transborder and macro-regional initiatives, specifically when it comes to climate change adaptation. More generally, local and regional authorities are more ambitious in their climate and energy objectives, and they have consistently proven to be effective delivery agents for the EU’s clean energy legislation. 

Local and Regional Energy Agencies 

Expertise and collaboration fueling change  

The Energy Agency Facilitation Model supports public authorities, companies and citizens in accelerating their decarbonisation efforts. As independent market facilitators with public mandates, the energy agencies help stakeholders overcome barriers, collaborate effectively, and make informed decisions that align with regional energy goals and priorities.  

Each energy agency, within the context of its own specific contains, develops tailored solutions to address similar problems. Their diversity of approaches offers a wealth of experience to be shared and further developed, making them well-equipped to drive and sustain change. 

• Energy expertise: Energy agencies have a deep understanding of the energy systems, technologies, and policies that drive the green energy transition. They provide product-independent, client-oriented advice for the best possible sustainable energy outcomes. 
• Advocacy and support: Energy agencies advocate for ambitious policies and support the public sector in leading by example. They inform and influence policy at the local and regional level and push for more ambitious targets for the green energy transition. 
• Project implementation: Energy agencies develop and carry out policies and programmes for the regions, including strategic planning at different levels. They provide facilitation, advice, and support for sustainable energy projects (project development, design, and implementation) to multiple target groups (including citizens, communities, business sector etc.). 
• Education and training: Energy agencies provide education, training, and awareness-raising on sustainable technologies and financing. They promote the benefits of the green energy transition and provide technical assistance for public authorities. 
• Collaboration: Energy agencies collaborate with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including local businesses, policymakers, and community groups, to activate value chains across sectors. They act as key facilitators, exchanging knowledge and best practices to bridge gaps, unite varying perspectives, and stimulate collaborative solutions and innovative approaches, thereby enhancing the impact of their actions. 
• Adaptation: Energy agencies are instrumental in driving adaptation efforts, leveraging their expertise to support long-term energy efficiency planning and the development of renovation one-stop-shops. With their intimate understanding of regional specifics, they are ideally positioned to propose integrated mitigation/adaptation solutions, aligning closely with the evolving energy efficiency and savings ambitions across the European Union. 

➤ The revised European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) recognises local and regional energy agencies as key stakeholders in priorities such as supporting regional and local authorities in rolling out energy efficiency measures through long-term planning, and in developing renovation one-stop-shops. 

Since 1990, FEDARENE has been bringing Europe and its regions closer together in their common transition towards clean and efficient energy. As a federation of regions and, energy agencies, we have witnessed how energy transition unites territories and citizens and believe it is the driver Europe needs to overcome disunity and achieve sustainable solidarity.