EMPOWER 2.0 is the abbreviation of Empowering the citizens - Towards European Energy Market 2.0 (Enabling More People’s OWnership in Energy tRansition).
The project aims to demonstrate and accelerate the empowerment of citizens to become active energy citizens. Citizens are facilitated to:
- create local energy communities via existing civil society structures.
- develop new, for example organisational solutions.
- adopt new, emerging and existing solutions for energy ownership.
This will lead to an increase of energy awareness and renewable energy production, and hence reduce the environmental footprint in the North Sea Region.
EMPOWER2.0 is an Interreg North Sea Region funded project with 14 partners, led by Gemeente Zaanstad (NL):
- Seven cities, provinces, intermunicipal organisations:
Gemeente Zaanstad NL, Provincie West-Vlaanderen BE, Essex County Council UK, Southend on Sea Borough Council UK, Middelfart Kommune DK, Gemeente Haarlem NL, Intercommunale Leiedal BE
- Three universities:
Hogeschool van Amsterdam NL, University of Southern Denmark DK, Ghent University BE
- One company:
Graham Oakes Ltd UK
- Three cooperatives:
Coöperatieve WeSpark Zaanstreek NL, Stadsgarage NL, Coöperatie Kennemer Kracht NL.