POWER UP your ears: Podcast episode about fair energy systems
In this episode of Energ’Ethic Eduardo Blanco from Energy Cities, coordinator of the POWER UP project, shares insights from the pilots and explains why building fair energy systems looks less like engineering and more like embroidery.
The poverty fix in 2026? What municipalities can expect from community energy and energy poverty policies
The energy services developed by and for people in energy poverty in the POWER UP pilots are meant to guide municipal work across Europe and to inform policymaking at EU level. 2026 will mark a shift for municipalities working on energy poverty and energy communities.
How did it go? New report assessing the pilot activities around fair energy services
Since 2021, the city, academic and private partners that form the POWER UP team worked full steam on their inclusive energy services. Now, it is time to see how it went. An in-depth evaluation, authored by Saska Petrova and Ami Crowther from University of Manchester traces four and a half years of local work across Europe.
Heerlen in The Netherlands: Preparing the ground when projects stall
“Stopping was not a failure. It was the starting point,” reflected Guus van der Nat when we spoke about Heerlen’s journey in the POWER UP project. His words captured the resilience that defined the Dutch pilot: a story of recalibration. The municipality of Heerlen started as a pilot in the POWER UP project and turned active observer due to local difficulties.
New report calling for stronger support to inclusive energy communities – we agree!
We want to amplify the very timely call that stick out when reading the TANDEM project’s final policy brief: To make community energy more inclusive, fair and effective, national frameworks must better support cooperation between local authorities, citizens, and energy actors.
Lunch webinar in Flemish (6 Nov): Combating energy poverty in your municipality – Insights from Eeklo
Join this webinar at 12h to see what the Belgian partners Eeklo and Ecopower have accomplished in the past 4 years in making energy fair and affordable for all. What is in there for others to “copy”?
Opening a window to energy communities in North Macedonia
Currently, there are no energy communities in North Macedonia. Local capacities, technical expertise, and citizen engagement remain limited. POWER UP may bring some change.
Communication as a gateway to trust: learning from local POWER UP approaches
In regions grappling with energy poverty from the North to South of Europe, information on access to energy or support to energy retrofitting isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative. The municipalities involved in the POWER UP project recognised this early on.
Renewables for a really good cause
It dates back to 2021, when four cities in Italy, Spain, Czech Republic and Belgium set off to produce renewable energy. Social equity was built in each of the business models as of day one. Initial dreams turned into reality thanks to very pragmatic approaches.
Webinar summary: Impact through Trust – Co-designing Energy Communities with Vulnerable Households
The session, moderated by Marine Cornelis, focused on two pilots from Campania (Italy) and Eeklo (Belgium); both developed in complex local contexts but united by a common goal: ensuring renewable energy benefits reach those most in need.