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Working towards Sustainable Energy Communities Throughout Europe

A project coordinated by Câmara Municipality de Moura (Alentejo Region, Portugal).

With the support of

 

The Sunflower Project is a European network of 8 partners.

The aims of the project are the promotion, dissemination and implementation of good practice examples of Renewable Energy Sources and their contribution to Local Sustainable Development. Increase the ratio of popular involvement in the project and thus start a long and durable "community energy vision" in line with European energy climate targets.

Sunflower aims to create the necessary conditions to attract investment in renewable energy projects characterized by a large RES potential but with yet insufficient mass to attract industry. The test regions are Moura (PT), North York Moors (UK), Sliven (BUL) and various Czech regions. The project will act along three axes: political commitment, market stimulation and environmental awareness. The four main objectives are as follows:  

  • Local authorities to trigger interest to build renewable energy powered plants
  • Attract renewable energy industry to the regions and increase the number of business partnerships formed between investors and local (or regional) authorities
  • Train recent graduates or young entrepreneurs in local markets and help to create new enterprises among them
  • Increase the ratio of popular involvement in the project and thus start a long and durable "community energy vision" in line with European energy climate targets

Another aim of the project is the promotion, dissemination and implementation of good-practice examples of RES Projects' contribution to local sustainable development, particularly in those European regions characterized by a large RES potential and lack of mass scale to be attractive for the industry. To overcome existing barriers to the development of the RES market, SUNFLOWER proposes an approach according to which the main stakeholders will be stimulated to share experiences and expectations around three axes: Political Commitment, Environmental Awareness and Market Stimulation. The project will also encourage the support for local and regional sustainable energy initiatives by providing methodological tools and support as well as training activities for specific Target Groups. It is expected that a total of 12 MW in PV, Wind, and Biomass Heat and Power projects, as well as new opportunities and investments in RES Scientific, Technological & Business Parks will be identified (by Memorandum of Understanding, MoUs or Contracts).