Project Summary
European regions are working hard to increase both their share of renewable energy and energy self-sufficiency. EU’s dependency on energy imports, particularly oil and natural gas, causes policy concerns relating to security of supply and increasing cost of energy affecting all sectors from households to agriculture and industries. The need to ensure security of supply puts the green transition at risk as regions may try to fulfil their energy needs by fossil fuels. On the other hand, the increasing price of fossil energy makes renewable energy an economically feasible option for the first time for many consumers.
In the EXPRESS project, the participating regions seek to increase their energy self-sufficiency and their share of renewable energy. Locally produced renewable energy contributes to sustainable development, in which the energy is produced in the region creating jobs and bringing local revenue. The project supports the REPowerEU targets to produce clean energy, save energy and diversify energy supplies in Europe.
The EXPRESS Project Objectives Are To:
- Increase the share of renewable energy in the participating regions.
- Increase the energy self-sufficiency of the participating regions.
- Improve regional strategies to better consider the new energy sector operational environment to enable a rapid transition to locally produced renewable energy for heating, electricity and transportation.
The project will meet its objectives through interregional learning on good practices that can be incorporated to regional policy instruments to speed up the green transition to locally produced renewable energy.
EXPRESS Partners
- The Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland)
- South East Energy Agency (Ireland)
- Paris Climate Agency (France)
- The Marche Region (Italy)
- Rzeszow Regional Development Agency (Poland)
- Hajdú-Bihar County Government (Hungary)
- Alba Iulia Municipality (Romania)
- Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA (Croatia)
The Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland)
South East Energy Agency (Ireland)
Paris Climate Agency (France)
The Marche Region (Italy)
Rzeszow Regional Development Agency (Poland)
Hajdú-Bihar County Government (Hungary)
Alba Iulia Municipality (Romania)
Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA (Croatia)
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EXPRESS is Possible Through Funding from the ERDF
Total Project Budget: € 1,858,983
ERDF Funding: €1,464,406.40
Project Length: 01 Mar 2023 – 31 May 2027
EXPRESS In Southeast Ireland
The EXPRESS project objectives are to increase the share of renewable energy in the participating regions, increase the energy self-sufficiency of the participating regions, and improve regional strategies to better consider the new energy sector operational environment to enable a rapid transition to locally produced renewable energy for heating, electricity and transportation.
The South East Energy Agency (SEEA) will aim to change the management of the policy instrument. SEEA will intend to influence the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). SEEA will work with the Southern Regional Assembly to:
- Revise and develop a methodology for evaluating and delivering the policy instrument.
- Introduce new criteria for selecting the projects supported by the policy instrument.
- Publicise/advertise proposals associated with the policy instrument.
- Assist the managing committee, the Southern Regional Assembly, to implement the policy instrument.
EXPRESS Stakeholder Call to Action – August 30th, 2023
We were delighted to welcome stakeholders for groups across the Southeast and beyond to join us in the Hoban Hotel, Kilkenny on August 30th. The gathered cohort (both in-person and online) discussed the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for, and threats in the renewable energy space in the Southeast. The feedback gained from participants on the day will be invaluable in generating our first and subsequent reports for the EXPRESS project. It is our hope that these insights will help us develop reviews to ultimately help guide renewable energy policy in the region going forward.
Read our full news story on the day here.
We will be hosting similar events like this one in the near future. Keep an eye on our social media or newsletter for information as it becomes available.
