Category: Region, State, District

Lüneburg (Region), Germany

Lüneberg, Germany

  • Target: “Renewable energy region”, operating on 100% RE.
  • Status: In progress - Today, around 55% of the consumed electricity is renewable: from wind (23%), biomass (27%), solar power (4.3%) and hydropower (0.2%). For heating, only 10% RE is used.
  • RES: Wind power, biomass, solar power and hydropower.
  • Implementation: In 2008, the administrative district of Lüneburg established an climate protection unit to coordinate an action for climate protection. By 2010, the county council had set the goal to become a 100% renewable energy region (100ee-Region). It would reduce energy demand, apply energy efficiency measures and expand renewable energy implementation. In 2012, the district and city councils commissioned the University of Lüneburg to conduct a study to achieve this target. The “100% Renewable Energy in the region and city Lüneburg” was published, stating that it was possible to completely cover the district's energy demand by renewable energies in the electricity and heating sector. It showed options on how this can be achieved and provided ways to reduce energy consumption. The city and the county council began by reducing its own energy consumption by conducting energetic retrofits of all public buildings. It also began encouraging its inhabitants to save energy and to improve energy efficiency in private households. In order to use the potential of wind energy, the administrative area began looking for priority areas for wind and solar energy.
  • Population: 75,192 (2017)
  • Area: 70.34 km2 (27.16 sq mi)
  • Link: Hansestadt Lüneburg - Erneuerbare Energien in Stadt und Landkreis
Lüneberg, Germany

Marin County, California, USA

Stinson Beach, Marin County, California, USA

  • Target: Powered by 33% renewable electricity sources by 2015 and 100% by 2020.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar, wind, biogas, large hydro, and state system power.
  • Implementation: In 2010, Marin Clean Energy (MCE) launched California’s first Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, which by law allows cities and counties to aggregate the buying power of individual customers to secure alternative energy supply contracts. Marin County's CCA gives customers an alternative to the local investor owned utility’s (PG&E’s) electricity, which is principally sourced from nuclear and natural gas powered plants, along with large hydro, renewables, and unspecified sources. Via CCA, customers could now choose between Light Green (27% renewable energy) or Deep Green (100% renewable energy).

    The biggest challenge associated with launching and operating a CCA was the requirement that investor owned utilities had to cooperate fully with attempts to form a CCA. The investor owned utility in Marin County initially opposed the creation of MCE through misleading ant-MCE marketing campaigns to thousands of potential customers. However, since new legislation was passed which imposes specific requirements on the relationship between a CCA and an investor-owned utility, the working relationship with PG&E has improved.

    So far, Marin County has invested in 33.2 MW of new renewables, and has allowed customers to choose where their electricity comes from. Projects have largely been financed through load guarantees. Initial Marin Clean Energy start-up costs in 2010 were loaned by River City Bank.  The local joint powers authority formed to administer Marin Clean Energy. The program is designed to be self-funding through the electric customer rates so there is no use of public funds or taxpayer dollars.
  • Population: 260,651 (2016)
  • Area: 828 sq mi (2,140 km2)
  • Link: https://www.mcecleanenergy.org
Stinson Beach, Marin County, California, USA

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Wind, solar and biogas
  • Implementation: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a rural, thinly populated state on the northern coast of Germany. In 2013, the state was the first in Germany to generate more power from renewable sources than it required for consumption. In 2012, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had already begun generating the equivalent of 90% of its energy consumption with renewables. From 2012 to 2013, the percentage increased by 30% -  from 6.3 billion to about 8.3 billion kilowatt-hours. This was the equivalent of 120% of what the state uses. 

    Mecklenburg-Vorpommen today exports a large share of the surplus renewable power it generates to neighboring regions. The State's renewable electricity mix is a combination of wind, solar, and biogas. In 2013, 89 new wind turbines were installed, bringing the total to nearly 1600 turbines. Onshore wind energy generated about 4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2013. In the same year, 1700 PV systems and 32 biogas systems were installed. In September 2014, the state became home to Germany's first commercial large scale battery storage system, a 5 MW/MWh battery power plant in the Schwerin district of Lankow manufactured by Younicos for WEMAG. The facility houses 1600 battery trays containing 25,600 lithium-manganese-oxide cells that can store and release energy within milliseconds. The battery system can reportedly replace at least 50 MW of conventional power plant generation.
  • Population: 1,611,119 (2017)
  • Area: 23,174 km2 (8,948 sq mi)
  • Link: (In German) https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/em/Energie/
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

Navarre, Spain

Olite, Navarre, Spain

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Windpower, photovoltaics, biomass, biodiesel and geothermal energy
  • Implementation: Navarra is a small region in Northeastern Spain, and is celebrated for its diverse renewable energy portfolio.Today, the region is one of the largest producers of wind power in Europe. Wind energy development in Navarra started at the end of 1994. By 2001, 65% of electrical energy consumed in Navarra came from renewable energy. During this period, almost 100 MW of photovoltaic power had been installed. Currently, approximately 70% of the electricity comes from the wind and sun. In the region, many isolated solar photovoltaic facilities have been realized since 1990s. By the end of 2001, the largest photovoltaic solar energy plant in Tudela was installed, with a capacity of around 1.2 MW. Today, there are over small 500 isolated solar facilities. Biomass energy, biodiesel fuel and hydro power also play important roles. In Sangüesa, a biomass plant generates electricity from the combustion of waste cereal (straw) and wood residues with an installed capacity 25 MW, producing 200 GWh/year. It is the biggest plant in South Europe. In Caparroso, a biodiesel plant has been operating since 2004. In the 1990s, two biogas plants were installed to generate electricity with the input of gas methane produced in the municipality solid waste dump area and in the waste water treatment plant of the Pamplona City. Navarre has a tradition of producing electricity from small hydro power plants since the end of XIX century. Some plants of those plants are still working. Today, 107 small hydro power plants are operating with total capacity more than 195 MW. The main companies responsible for renewable energy projects in the region are Corporación Energía Hidroeléctrica de Navarra (EHN) and Iberdrola (main electric company of distribution in Navarra).

    The region has managed to expand the use of renewable energy by providing regional institutional support: 10% tax credits for investment in wind energy, connected photovoltaic, biomass, biodiesel, and geothermal; and up to 50% in economic aid for investment into isolated photovoltaic, 65% for Thermal, 50% for Biomass, and 30% for Geothermal. (In 2006, Government of Navarra granted 195.74 million Euros in tax credits for photovoltaic installations alone). Up to 2005, Government of Navarra granted assistance of 6 million Euros each financial year.

  • Population: 647,554 (2018)
  • Area: 10,391 km2 (4,012 sq mi)
  • Link: The outlook for renewable energy in Navarre: An economic profile
Olite, Navarre, Spain

Niederösterreich, Austria

Durnstein, Niederösterreich, Austria

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Hydroelectric power, wind energy, biomass and solar.
  • Implementation: Niederösterreich, or Lower Austria, is located in north-east Austria, and shares its borders with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The state is Austria’s most populous. The 100% renewable electricity target was accomplished in November 2015 but is seen as but one step in an ongoing process by the state government. Renewable energy development is continuing as plans are in place to decommission the remaining coal fired power plant in the state by 2020. Further to this, the state is planning to generate 50% of all the state’s total energy demand via renewable sources by 2030. This includes increasing the production of bio-fuels for transportation and heating/cooling needs. At present, 100% renewable electric production in the state comes from a blend of generation technologies. It gets 63% of its electricity from hydroelectric power, 26% from wind energy, nine percent from biomass and two percent from solar. A pilot project took place studying the possibility for a wind to hydrogen storage system. Lower Austria’s renewable energy success has created growth in employment in renewable energy fields (38,000 jobs)  and the development of small and medium locally owned businesses. By 2030, the number of jobs is expected increase to 12,000 jobs.
  • Population: 1,653,419 (2016)
  • Area: 19,186 km2(7,408 sq mi)
Durnstein, Niederösterreich, Austria

Osnabrück District, Germany

Schloss Fürstenau, Osnabrück, Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable and to save up to 88% of today’s emissions.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Wind energy
  • Implementation: Located in the North-West of Germany, the region of Osnabrück has played an important role in Germany's energy transition. In the region, renewable energy production, energy efficiency and a sustainable economy have become intrinsic aspects to day-to-day decision-making by its inhabitants. The commitment is reflected in the more than 8,000 renewable energy plants that have been installed right across the region. These have benefited from a rural landscape with abundant natural resources, boosted by a robust economy and modern agriculture. Indeed, renewable energy and energy efficiency represent long-term strategies for sustainable development, climate protection and regional value creation in the region. The 100% renewable energy target dates back to 2010 and has since been part of municipal policy-making. To date, there are more than 50 different projects, planning or research endeavours being conducted and coordinated at the local “Energy and Climate Protection Department“. There are many activities targeting private households and the building sector. By 2013, new developing areas had been outlined as part of updated renewable energy policies and the integration of climate targets.
  • Population: 356,140 (2017)
  • Area: 2,122 km2 (819 sq mi)
  • Link: Klimaschutzkonzepte und Statistiken
Schloss Fürstenau, Osnabrück, Germany

Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Microgrid, solar thermal facility, electric vehicle charging stations, and a farm biogas project.
  • Implementation: Oxford County comprises 2 towns, 5 townships, and 1 city. It is located along highly accessible transportation routes and has a long tradition in farming. On June 24, 2015, the Council set the 100% renewable energy target, with the commitment for community-wide use of renewable energy for electricity, heating/cooling, and transportation. It adopted the The Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan. The County has taken the opportunity to learn from other cities around the world (such as those in Germany) that have achieved 100% RE, to see how innovations in renewable energy could be adapted to Oxford’s context. The research formed the basis for Oxford County’s 100% Renewable Energy Action Plan, which would catalyze environmental change in Oxford, create opportunities for renewable energy investment in the county, and become a living laboratory for education, research, and development of cutting-edge renewable energy solutions for local governments. It also outlines a framework detailing how community, business, government, academic, national and international partners can work together to achieve specific targets, milestones and actions.
  • Population: 110,862 (2016)
  • Area: 2,036.61 km2 (786.34 sq mi)
  • Link: Oxford County Environmental and Energy Plans
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

Palawan, Philippines

Palawan, Philippines

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Hydropower
  • Implementation: Palawan is an island province off the coast of the Philippines. In order to promote access to electricity, increase reliability, add local jobs, protect the island environment, and lower energy costs, the province has set a goal of being powered by 100% renewable sources. Currently, more than half the communities in the province are without electricity. Where electricity does exist, it is expensive, reportedly twice as costly as in Manila. It is also unreliable as Palawan is not connected to the mainland grid, and black-outs and brown-outs are common. To achieve its 100% renewable target, Palawan aims to attract renewable energy investors to help fund the costs of installation by easing planning processes and providing incentives such as tax breaks. In November 2014, it was announced that the energy department contracted with local power generation and construction firm AGPI to build 11 hydropower plants in Palawan totalling 131 MW. Palawan's renewable energy plan however is under threat by national government support of building a coal plant on the island, with diesel being the preferred alternative. There has been significant local opposition to the building of the plant, including criticism by environmental groups like World Wildlife Fund.
  • Population: 849,469 (2015)
  • Area: 14,649.73 km2(5,656.29 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.rappler.com/business/industries/173-power-and-energy/41998-palawan-renewable-energy-plan
Palawan, Philippines

Pellworm, Germany

Pellworm, Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Wind power, solar farm.
  • Implementation: Pellworm is the third largest North Frisian island and relies on tourism and agriculture. About 50 farms engage in livestock. 70 percent of the land is used as grassland .  A 28 km long and eight meter-high dyke protects the island from the North Sea. For more than 30 years, the island of Pellworm has been a pioneer in the renewable energy field. At the end of the 70s, the first small wind-energy systems were tested here. After 1983, a 300 kW solar power station appeared, complemented by three 25 kW wind-energy units. The electricity produced was used to supply a health resort. Since then, the plant has been upgraded and enlarged several times and today it serves the E.ON group for the testing of ‘smart grids’ and modern storage technologies.  In the second half of the 90s, the Association of Ecological Economies, the Municipality and the electricity provider Schleswag set up an energy concept that enabled Pellworm to become energy self-sufficient. A public wind-park company was founded in order to use electricity production as a source of income. The municipality opened an energy office. A biogas assessment led to the installation of a public biogas unit, local heating from which supplies the health centre. A round-table meeting brought together all operators and parties interested and involved in the energy sector and initiated further development of the energy concept.
  • Population: 1,136 (2016)
  • Area: 37.44 km2 (14.46 sq mi)
  • Link: Smartregion Pellworm
Pellworm, Germany

Watch "Pellworm: Germany's green energy island" by AFP News Agency

Pingtung County, Chinese Taipei

Pingtung, Chinese Taipei

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Smart grids and solar farms
  • Implementation: In 2009, Taiwan experienced Typhoon Morakot: the deadliest recorded typhoon to ever impact Taiwan, which resulted in failure to the main power grid.  Pingtung County consequently resolved to to ensure that its community can be energy self-sufficient in the event of any natural disaster, or for at least one week in the event of failure of the grid. In July 2016, under the leadership of the head of government Magistrate Men-An Pan, the County departments and civil society gathered in Pingtung's 1st Forum on resilience and renewable energy to discuss a pathway to transition to 100% renewable energy and energy self-sufficiency. During the Forum, the Magistrate made a public commitment to explore a 100 renewable energy target and to be an active participant in the Global 100% Renewable Energy Cities and Regions Network. Projects implemented so far include several smart grid and solar farm demonstration projects.
  • Population: 839,001 (2016)
  • Area: 2,775.6003 km2(1,071.6653 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.globalresearch.ca/taiwans-green-energy-transition-under-way/5616625
Pingtung, Chinese Taipei