How to give birth to an energy community

An energy cooperative never pops out of nowhere. In the sixth episode of our SCCALE 20-30-50 podcast series, hosted by Energy Cities, we discuss how can citizens work together and become energy producers. This podcast will bring you to Brussels, where Brupower the city’s first energy cooperative, was created in 2022. We spoke with Chloé Verlinden, urbanist and one of the founders of this cooperative.

Brupower aims to get their first solar and wind installations running, but they also want to ensure energy sharing between neighbours and to become energy supplier in the long run. Chloé explains the cooperative’s activities with external partners. She talks about how the cooperative is organised and how to protect cooperative volunteers from burnout.  In the episode, you will have the opportunity to learn more about:

  • What can motivate citizens to join an energy cooperative and how to be as inclusive as possible
  • How a cooperative works with local and regional authorities
  • The dynamics and relations of a small energy cooperative

Listen to the episode.