Inspiring Examples and Best Practices

About

Based on the island of Crete, Minoan was established during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to the social and economic consequences of lockdowns (across the region). The purpose of Minoan was expanded after a destructive earthquake (27 September 2021) severely affected its home region of Arkalochori.

Mission

To eliminate energy poverty by creating equal access to the energy generated by the potential of the island for all Cretan Citizens. The Minoan Energy Community will play an integral and leading role in the energy transition in Crete, ensuring the transition is democratic and fair, claiming the maximum possible benefits for the local community.

Activities

Minoan has developed two energy-sharing projects for collective self-consumption known as Virtual Net Metering. Through virtual Net Metering, Minoan’s members, among whom are citizens, local businesses, and municipalities across the region of Crete, generate their electricity from solar power and feed unused electricity back into the grid, thus giving members reduced electricity bills. The first project has a 405kWp capacity and the second is of 1MWp. In addition, Minoan has a wide variety of projects under development, which aim to diversify Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to include solar thermal collectors, small wind, biomass, hydro storage, district heating networks, geo-exchange, and energy-saving measures.

The community also engages energy experts who offer non-profit advice to citizens for energy-saving measures and energy-efficiency upgrades of their residences and to public authorities for energy-saving and energy-efficiency measures to their buildings. It is also active in scientific research and the organization of capacity building and informational events for local stakeholders and citizens aiming to raise awareness in the Cretan insular community on energy the transition focusing on its necessity, risks and identified opportunities.

Distinctive Good Practice

The community has been engaging and collaborating with local stakeholders including over 11 municipalities that are now members of Minoan and the island’s Regional Authority. This unified approach allows the community to actively contribute to the development of energy projects tailored to the specific needs of these municipalities, promoting localized energy production that directly benefits the region’s citizens. Furthermore, the community plays a significant role in shaping energy policy that emphasizes the importance of energy communities in fostering local well-being. Its commitment to innovation is underscored by collaboration with local academic and research institutes to implement pioneering and pilot projects. Additionally, the community organizes open public information days and events tailored for schools and professional groups such as those in the tourism sector and agriculture, ensuring that knowledge and resources are widely accessible and fostering a culture of sustainability within the community.

Active in the engagement and collaboration with local stakeholders including more than 11 of the island’s municipalities and the island’s Regional Authority who are now members of the community. Through these partnerships, the community can contribute to the development of energy projects for the municipalities’ energy needs supporting in turn community energy and the localized production of energy benefiting the citizens of the region.

Barriers & How they were addressed

Even though the Minoan Energy Community focuses on a diverse portfolio of RE technologies necessary for an effective integrated transition of the island, challenges related to project licencing by the regulator are creating barriers for the community development in terms of the development of new projects.

Benefits to Participating individuals

Each member is offered the opportunity to benefit and gain access to renewable energy sources available on the island and to become a co-owner along with other members with equal vote in decision-making processes. Members are no longer independent of energy companies. Contribution to the development of the region as the capital invested will remain in the region. Access to improved customer service.

Media:

• Common Power: Minoan Energy Community in Crete, Greece
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2EsTY1SD0c
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYR9wF0_jvs&t=182s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byD8ak3Lkdw&t=14s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npop0SplcOQ&t=116s