Spread the seeds for a resilient city
When conflicts disrupt supply chains, energy prices spike, supply becomes uncertain, and local communities lose control. Municipal leadership can change that.
The Homegrown Energy campaign, in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors, brings together ten stories of cities and regions that are redefining what municipal leadership in energy can look like. It is an invitation to let go of myths and to look at the experiences of numerous local governments for insights and solutions.
Why homegrown energy matters
Every gardener has made the experience of getting all geared up to try something new and exciting—a zucchini, or a very particular type of apple—only to find the seeds don’t even sprout. This is not a reason to not try it again! And it’s exactly the same for municipalities.
Energy that is generated in and with communities, helps us
- Protect your community from energy shocks
- Strengthen energy independence
- Advance together towards climate neutrality by building strong local alliances
- Build trust in your city’s vision and <in public support for your climate action
Three first steps for increasing your own homegrown energy
Pick a story below that inspires you
Skill up to make things happen
Secure your city’s
energy future — locally
Your city council can act in different ways
We are often drawn to spectacular cases, but these are not always replicable and worse, they are used as excuses not to try. Municipal leadership can start with one single building or in a street.
There are many creative ways in which municipalities are providing high quality public services while anticipating a more secure and affordable energy provision in the future:
- Finance and operate own renewable energy services
- Act as market agents by facilitating, hosting, or participating in citizen-led renewable generation and community energy schemes
- Provide material and immaterial support to citizens and renewable energy communities
- Regulate in favor of just and renewable energy implementation
- Influence permitting, planning, incentives and access to grid connections, which are key barriers for local clean energy deployment
10 cities – 10 stories debunking common myths
Utrecht relieves its grid through an innovative car-sharing scheme
The myth: “Grid congestion blocks electrification. Let’s wait for the DSO.”
No! Utrecht is showing how municipalities can unlock flexibility by turning shared electric cars into mobile batteries.
Inside Austria’s unique town-to-town shared electricity scheme: EEG Salzburger Seenland
The myth: “Energy sharing creates more bureaucracy than savings.”
No! 11 towns in the Salzburg lake district (Austria) decided to pool their solar power and share it via their own longstanding regional association.
The story in short
Public-private partnership: Turning energy deals into community impact – Bristol (UK)
The myth: “Once you bring in private partners, the city loses control.”
No! Bristol’s City Leap Community Energy fund in the UK proves shared governance with benefits that strengthen the community.
The story in short
Social procurement of municipal rooftops for energy communities – Valencia (Spain)
The myth: “Rolling back on (environmental) regulation will help fast-track work on energy security.”
No! Valencia in Spain shows procurement is actually one of the most powerful levers to address individual and collective vulnerabilities.
The story in short
Scaling collective self-consumption step-by-step – Malaunay (France)
The myth: “Local renewable energy is too unstable to rely on for public buildings.”
No! Malaunay in France fearlessly and progressively extends its renewables activities. The city is tapping in its local energy potential, reducing energy needs, using biomass and fostering community solar on its way to full energy independence.
The story in short
When prices rise, the lights stay steady thanks to solar – Aradippou (Cyprus)
The myth: ““100% renewable energy at local level? That’s unrealistic.”
No, not really! It is true that total self-sufficiency is hard to achieve. But municipalities can cover a large share of their own energy consumption. Aradippou in Cyprus is one good example of how a municipality can achieve energy independence for street and public lighting by using untapped land for solar PV production.
The story in short
NEXT STORIES TO COME
An urban microgrid in Sweden
The myth: “Energy systems can be very local.”
The city of Kragujevac (Serbia) leads a city-wide energy transition through a coordinated package of practical measures.
The myth: “Our city doesn’t have the capacity to tackle the energy transition on multiple fronts at once.”
Ghent in Belgium is making citizen energy a criteria for urban development and heat provision
The myth: “Heating is too complex to involve citizens in its management.”
Namur in Belgium simplifies renovation by creating small renovation communities and guiding groups of neighbours in their journey.
The myth: “Renovation is too technical and time-consuming — people won’t engage.”
One of the most powerful ways to provide energy that benefits everyone is through community energy projects. Explore community energy stories from across Europe on eumayors.eu and unlock your power!
