Sustainable use of energy in the European regions – a tool to achieve the European cohesion policy goals (EN) by Jana Ciscmanova, Energie-Cités, France

  1. Financing of sustainable energy projects.
  2. Practical support – RUSE operation.

Summary

Sustainable energy (SE) projects will be eligible for a co-financing from the Structural Funds in the new programming period 2007-2013. However, the extent of the support depends on the Member States (MS). Through their networks, local actors should make practical proposals on the national governments to ensure most of their energy concerns will be eligible, especially, when these funds will be no longer available after the year 2013. The European project RUSE informs and encourages the new EU MS to enhance inclusion of SE issues into the Integrated Regional Operational Programmes and to implement sustainable energy projects with the support of a variety of financial tools.

Introduction

The role of the SE issues in the new European cohesion policy 2007-2013 was presented by a representative of the European Commission as follows:

"SE issues are not an objective or a priority of the cohesion policy but a tool that helps to achieve its goals."

(Peter Ungar, European Commission)

Sustainable use of energy is a cross-sectorial issue that has a strategic perspective in determining the success or failure of the new EU regional policy. If supported by national frameworks and regions, it can help to achieve the cohesion policy goals. SE issues should be considered within every project financed by the European funds.

  1. Financing of sustainable energy projects.
  • The Structural Funds.

The setting-up of the Structural Funds is the result of determination of the EU MS to conduct actions in favour of regions that encounter development problems. This determination is based on the concept of the economic and social cohesion which has gradually led to the definition of the European regional policy.

Since 2004, the Structural Funds are available in the new MS and this financial help will remain available for the next programming period 2007-2013. One of the main challenges we are facing now is to use this new opportunity in the most sustainable way, especially regarding the energy issues that are a full component of regional and urban development.

  • The new programming period 2007-2013.

The major document of the future European regional policy and a framework for new programmes supported by the European Funds is entitled:

“Cohesion Policy in Support of Growth and Jobs: Community Strategic Guidelines, 2007-2013”.

It sets the priorities and objectives of the policy. Priorities define "what we want to achieve" and objectives define "who and how will profit from the funds to be able to achieve it".

The 3 priorities of the new cohesion policy are:

  1. Making Europe and its regions more attractive places to invest and work.
  2. Improving knowledge and innovation for growth.
  3. More and better jobs.

These goals should be achieved with respect to the environment, ensuring sustainable development.It is essential to find a way how sustainable energy projects could contribute to these priorities.

The experiences of many active municipalities prove that the projects increasing energy efficiency and utilisation of renewable energy technologies bring to the communities several benefits, e.g.:

Improved security of energy supply / independence on fossil fuels

Reduction of energy consumption / lower expenses on energy / finance stay "home" (locally or regionally)

Reduction of greenhouse gases emissions / improved air quality

Stronger competitiveness of a region

Stimulation of regional development through innovation and job creation

Higher energy awareness of the local actors (citizens)

The 3 new objectives - financed by 3 financial instruments - are:

  1. 'Convergence' objective - ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund.
  2. 'Regional competitiveness and employment' objective - ERDF, ESF.
  3. 'European territorial cooperation' objective – ERDF.

On 17 May 2006, the European Parliament approved the budget for the new cohesion policy 2007-2013:

Total budget = € 307.9 billion
Objective / Proportion of total budget (%) / Budget (billion EUR)
'Convergence' objective / 81.9 / 252.2
'Regional competitiveness and employment' objective / 15.7 / 48.3
'European territorial cooperation' objective / 2.4 / 7.4

Energy related projects that can be supported by the ERDF or the Cohesion Fund are:

  1. 'Convergence' objective (ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund).

ERDF:

Improving security of supply.

Completing the internal market.

Integrating environmental considerations.

Improving energy efficiency.

Developing renewable energies.

Cohesion Fund:

Transport and environment (as in the previous period) but on a sustainable basis and with clear environmental benefit in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources (new approach!).

  1. 'Regional competitiveness and employment' objective (ERDF, ESF).

ERDF:

Stimulating energy efficiency and renewable energy production.

  1. 'European territorial cooperation' objective (ERDF).

ERDF:

Reducing isolation through improved access to energy systems, enhanced inter-operability of national and regional systems.

Networking, exchange of experiences and good practice.

  • How to influence the cohesion policy?

The MShave beenpreparing the National Strategic Reference Frameworks and the Operational Programmes during the second half of 2006. These will then be negotiated with and approved by the European Commission. National thematic and territorial priorities will be defined ensuring consistency with the Community priorities. However, each MS has its own needs and will adjust the programmes accordingly. It can also be more ambitious from its own initiative.

It is indeed up to local actors to influence this process and gain further financial support for sustainable energy related projects and thus opportunities to benefit from its positive results in the future.Through their networks, local authorities should make practical proposals on the national governments to ensure most of their energy concerns will be eligible, especially, when these funds will be no longer available after the year 2013.

  • Energy and cities.

The European Commission pays particular attention to the cities and the important role they play in the sustainable urban development. In July 2006, it presented thecommunicationCohesion policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions. Its main aim is to contribute to the Community Strategic Guidelines 2007-2013 by elaborating and strengthening the urban dimension also in the field of sustainable energy. Unfortunately, this document is not binding for the MS and its content can only serve as a list of recommendations.

Document can be found at:

  1. Practical support– RUSE operation

European project RUSE – Redirecting of UrbanAreasDevelopment Towards Sustainable Energy–informs and encourages the new EU MS to integrate SE issues into the Integrated Regional Operational Programmes and helps local authorities and stakeholdersto implement sustainable energy projects in particular under the EU Structural Funds.Municipalities, businesses, NGOs and other stakeholders can visit the project websiteavailable in 5 languages - English, Polish, Lithuanian, Czech and Slovak. The website offers:

  • Database of good practices and projects including those financed from the Structural Funds.
  • Newsletters that inform about the Structural Funds and related energy issues.
  • Help desksupport implemented in each "RUSE" country such as advice on how to design a project and apply for co-funding from the Structural Funds.
  • Presentations made during RUSE activities (Joint Seminars, Study Tours, etc.) mainly by EU-15 experienced City partners in order to enhance NMS partners' capacity building.
  • Useful links to the most relevant websitesin the field of the Structural Funds and sustainable energy in CzechRepublic, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia.

RUSE website:

More info:

Christophe Frering, Energie-Cités:

JanaCicmanova, Energie-Cités: