The MEDEEA project addresses one of the main weaknesses of the Mediterranean area, i.e. an energy sustainability level lower than the EU average. Thus, the project focuses on the dissemination and implementation in this area of a methodology named “European Energy Award – EEA®. This is in fact a label that acknowledges and rewards municipal integrated energy planning & activities aimed at reaching and going beyond the “20-20-20” EU energy objectives.
Currently, more than 750 communities in 10 EU countries are successfully applying the eea®. However in the Mediterranean very few regions have implemented it so far. Mediterranean municipalities need to increase their knowhow on energy in general and to take advantage of the great Mediterranean unexploited potential for renewable energy sources and energy savings.
The project includes the participation of one partner from most Med countries (except for Gibraltar and France). It involves both continent located areas and islands (with their different needs and features). The project covers the following regions and countries: Liguria and Cosenza (Italy), Murcia and Jaen (Spain), Crete (Greece), Algarve (Portugal), Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia.
The general objective of the project is to achieve “20-20-20” European energy targets in Med regions, through an improvement of the local governance of energy issues. Main tool to achieve this is eea®, that is, a standard methodology for municipal integrated energy planning. By promoting the achievement of energy targets we positively contribute to the environment, to money savings and therefore to sustainable development of partner regions. The latter will also gain in competitiveness, thus meeting the targets of the Lisbon agenda.
Specific objectives are:
- improve communication of energy policies at municipal levels (eg. Covenant of Mayors – CoM, as major DG TREN’s tool for reaching higher energy objectives)
- beyond 20% of emissions reductions by 2020) by involving more stakeholders: this will lead to capacity building and increased general culture on energy
- overcome the barriers that prevent municipal take up of efficient energy planning:this will lead to more energy plans and a more spread uptake of renewable energy plants and energy saving
- promote cooperation among MED municipalities and regions on energy: this will lead to mutual learning and a better knowledge of MED general energy features, data,
- feedback findings to all policy levels, in order to feed in mainstream policies and report back to the EU.
The project is undertaken in 3 main phases:
- eea® transfer and adaptation: The eea® methodology has been transfered to the partners, through training sessions. Then eea® tools have been then localised into each region’s language but have been also adapted to take into account Mediterranean specific characteristics. Municipalities to be involved in each region have been identified by way of an open call for interest. A mentorship system between municipalities that have already implemented the eea® and the one currently working on it has been set-up.
- eea® implementation: This consists of provision of assistance to involved municipalities (8 per partner) in the EEA application and in the signature of the EU“Covenant of Mayors”. This meant carrying out energy audits, setting up energy teams, overseeing the identification of action plans integrated with CoM objectives. Realistically, only some of the municipalities involved (say 3 per partner) will actually be ready for eea® labelling within project duration. The “mentoring” system among municipalities has been taking place through field trips and exchange meetings that enable administrators to know and learn from each other. The CoM will also be promoted and signed by eea® labelled municipalities.
- feedback: This third phase will see the evaluation of results in documents aimed at regional and EU governments (policy recommendations + key energy data) and municipalities (guidelines for eea® and CoM application), as well as the creation of a best practice.
The Maltese Local Councils currently participating in the eea® implementation process are Birgu, Floriana, Gharb, Isla, Marsaskala, Pembroke and Pieta.
The project will lead to tangible results, such as 27 municipalities labelled eea®, thus committing for concrete energy saving (at least 10%) or renewable energy production. The same towns will also commit to go beyond the “20-20-20” targets by signing the Covenant of Mayors.
