CTO Assessment - European Commission

EEKLO
Sustainable
Energy Project
Contact: Mr. Karel Derveaux •Ecopower cvba
Statiestraat 164 e, B-2600 Brecham-Antwerpen • Belgium
Tel/Fax: 0032 3 287 37 79 •E-mail: karel.derveaux@ecopower.be
Website: www.ecopower.be
The Eeklo project was an outstanding success
in that it gained huge support and
attention for Wind Power and RES
throughout Eeklo, regionally and also at
an EU level mainly through the high level
of community involvement. Although there
were some obstacles the project was
greatly facilitated by the fact that transportation
of Green Electricity over the distribution
net is free in Flanders. This cut
approximately a third of conventional supply
costs enabling Ecopower to sell electricity
to its customers at a lower rate whilst
losing no money themselves.
Main aims and motivations To rapidly exploit
the RES potential in the Flemish region
of Belgium. To achieve close involvement
and awareness at a community level.
The project
Ecopower (a financing co-operative for
renewable energy) implemented a sustainable
energy project in the small Flemish
city of Eeklo. In 2001 the first two of three
planned wind turbines started production.
These are the largest wind turbines in Belgium,
increasing the total installed capacity
by over 20%. Also as part of the project
there is a small hydro station.
Overall Evaluation
High acceptance for Wind Energy within
the community of Eeklo.
Increased awareness of sustainable energy
issues.
Generated tourism and interest from
other localities and also at EU level.
Innovative community involvement
One of the aims of the Eeklo project was
close community involvement and support
for the project. This was mainly achieved
by delivering direct benefits to the residents
of Eeklo through selling them shares at
250 Euro each and with 6% dividends. All
shareholders have equal influence regardless
of amount of shares they possess.
Enabling factors
The project received financial support from
the Flemish regional authorities. A further
enabling factor to the realization of the project
was Market liberalization which facilitates
the direct sale of electricity to private consumers.
There was also legal support in that
transportation of green electricity over the
distribution net in Flanders is free, a major
facilitating factor for Ecopower when deciding
to become a supplier.
Challenges
The administrative processes for setting up
a project like this are long and slow. One
complaint can halt a wind turbine being installed
even if the majority of the residents
are in favour of it. This happened in Eeklo
at one of the three planned sites and is the
reason why the overall wind energy target
has not been reached.
It was also necessary to combat the preconceptions
of the local governments who
were skeptical about the installation of wind
turbines. This was achieved by providing
them with all the facts and the predicted
benefits. The overwhelming community
support and financial success of this project
may help to strengthen political enthusiasm
for future projects of this kind.
Objective Result Comment
Replication Potential:
EEKLO project is a replication of many others
of its kind in Germany and Denmark.
Involving the community was what made
the project so widely accepted and supported
both financially and through community
participation. This is something
that can be done in any local area provided
that the local council is interested.
The success due to the law in Flanders,
that specifies that transportation of Green
Electricity over the low-voltage distribution
net is free of charge, should serve as
an example to other regional governments.
RES development would be given the boost
it needs.
Two other co-operatives want to do similar
things in Flanders and there is also
some activity in Wallonia.
Implementation of the RES projects
(1999 – 2003)
The public are willing to make more efforts
to support RES developments but the
problem is in raising their awareness of
the issues. A concerted campaign operating
on all levels; EU, national, regional and
local is needed in order to achieve this.
The results of the Eeklo project constitute
a 30% rise in RES share on a local level.
Wind Energy 15 MW 4.3 MW Delays in building permission
(av 8,500,000 kWH/year)
PV Systems not defined 10 kWp Co-ordinated private investors
Micro-hydro 125 kW 100 kW Production levels doubled and
cost halved due to local involvment
Due to market liberalization
Gain 1000 >2000 Ecopower is able to
Shareholders
Community
sell electricity directly to private
consumers
4 long term jobs created
48 CTO - Showcase