The Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) initiative for the establishment of new energy agencies has given an important impulse at local and regional levels, and has helped to engage decision-makers in tackling energy and climate issues on the ground, according to the ‘Energy Agencies in Europe: Results and Perspectives’ report, published by the European Commission in September.

The report noted that the IEE had also enabled the spreading of expertise on energy management issues and techniques across the EU. It also found that political support is key to the establishment of new energy agencies and is even more crucial for the sustainability of their activities in the medium-term.

The activities of energy agencies have evolved in recent years from raising awareness on energy issues and project planning on their territory (i.e. Sustainable Energy Action Plans or SEAPs), to actively working with public authorities on project implementation. As a result, the needs of energy agencies have moved from political support to financial support, from both public and private funds. The report stated that, although they are in principle technical experts, energy agencies are becoming more and more involved with financing and with ensuring the bankability of investment projects.

Those energy agencies which were established with the support of an IEE grant are required to collaborate with more experienced ‘mentor’ agencies and to establish relationships with stakeholders in their own country and in other parts of Europe. Many of the most successful energy agencies and public authorities have benefitted from working together in multinational IEE projects and from participating in EU wide networks such as ManagEnergy or the Covenant of Mayors, which facilitate capacity building, training and exchanges of experience (peer to peer) and best practices related to the development of local initiatives and the promotion of sustainable energy.

For more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz9cmQbr5P75ZEdOX0J0T3ppNGs/view