As part of the New Energy Academy program, representatives of the Association RES Serbia visited the first energy community in Bulgaria, located in Gabrovo. This innovative project aims to increase the participation of citizens in the energy transition, enabling them to become active participants in the production and distribution of energy. The Gabrovo energy community represents a model of cooperation between cities, citizens and institutions, which enables the direct involvement of citizens in energy projects and creates the foundation for a more sustainable future.
The energy community enables citizens, businesses and local institutions to participate together in the production, distribution and consumption of energy, often through the use of renewable energy sources.
Gabrovo energy community
The project in Gabrovo, with a total budget of 100000 EUR, produces 113 MW of electricity per year. Photovoltaic solar panels with a capacity of 99.55 kWp, consisting of 181 panels, were installed, along with two 50 kW inverters. This system allows for the efficient use of renewable energy sources, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and providing cleaner energy for the local community.
In this way, citizens are given the opportunity to actively engage in energy projects and make profits through participation in initiatives that use renewable energy sources.
Citizen involvement and education
Representatives of RES Serbia also attended a lecture in the Gabrovo Municipality, which explained in detail how this project was launched and how the energy community can become a key factor in the energy transition. The lecture highlighted the importance of the role of citizens in this initiative, the benefits for them, but also the challenges they face in implementing such projects.
In order to get citizens involved, calls for participation were organized, which lasted until the beginning of 2024. During that period, interested parties had the opportunity to apply, and a total of 73 members of the energy community invested approximately 80000 EUR. Through personal meetings, conferences, workshops and media campaigns, citizens were informed about the benefits and opportunities that this project can offer them.
New Energy Academy 2025 is a five-month training program organized by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) for participants from South-Eastern Europe, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Slovenia. The program offers the opportunity to acquire key technical knowledge and improve professional skills. Program participants have the opportunity to network with experts and colleagues from different countries, which will allow them to actively engage in the energy transition processes of their countries.
Photo: Rosina Pencheva