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Energent

Energent invests money from its cooperative members in renewable energy projects and in achieving energy savings. In addition, the organisation is committed to providing related energy services to mobilise and unburden citizens.

Energent is an East Flanders cooperative founded in 2013, which unites citizens in their ambition for a sustainable and climate-neutral society. Firstly, Energent works via a third-party payment system on investment projects for renewable energy (solar panels, wind, heat). The cooperative used its members’ money to set up a fund and invests in wind turbines, local heat grids or solar panels on large roofs of schools, public buildings or companies. Profits stay in the region instead of flowing abroad. It means that citizens can be more involved in generating renewable energy and the advantages and disadvantages can be distributed more fairly. Energy is controlled by the citizens themselves. Energent currently has over 1,200 cooperative members and over 9,000 solar panels.

What's more, Energent encourages citizens to invest in making their homes energy efficient via collective renovation projects and group purchases at the district level, such as in the Wijkwerf project. The complexity of the applications for grants or energy loans, and the daunting amount of organisational work involved in renovation works, constitute a major stumbling block for many people. Fully unburdening citizens in financial, technical as well as organisational terms appears essential to convince them, and is organised by a single contact - the renovation supervisor. Energent offers free, personal support for home renovations. The cooperative takes care of the insulation, installing solar panels or heat boilers and monitors the work. It also provides support for grant and loan applications. Since it concerns a group purchase, the cooperative members can expect to pay a reasonable price for their renovation work. 320 interventions have already been carried out in eleven districts. Despite the efforts made by Energent (such as going from door to door), they are only able to mobilise a small part of the district. This reveals the need for a structural support system for collective renovation.

partners and actors
REScoop
theme
energy
innovative aspects
financing
scale
region, district


Flyer info evening
imageFlyer info evening
Energent invests money from its cooperative members in renewable energy projects and in achieving energy savings. In addition, the organisation is committed to providing related energy services to mobilise and unburden citizens.


Flyer info evening

Solar panel installation at the Aalter sports park
videoSolar panel installation at the Aalter sports park
Energent invests money from its cooperative members in renewable energy projects and in achieving energy savings.


Solar panel installation at the Aalter sports park

Energent invests money from its cooperative members in renewable energy projects and in achieving energy savings.



photo: Energent, 2021

articlePortraits: #5 Els
Solar panels and local green energy for any budget, large or small: In Sint Amandsberg, near Ghent, the Buurzame Stroom city programme made it possible for Els and her fellow residents - without boosting gentrification.




photo: Mieke Debruyne, 2022

Citizen cooperative Energent provides more solar panels in Ghent
articleCitizen cooperative Energent provides more solar panels in Ghent
Energent is fully committed to installing solar panels on available Ghent roofs because there is major potential that remains under-utilised.


Citizen cooperative Energent provides more solar panels in Ghent


photo: Bond Beter Leefmilieu, 2017

What is Energent and how does a citizen cooperative work?
videoWhat is Energent and how does a citizen cooperative work?
The cooperative co-invests in renewable energy projects and is ecologically and socially committed


What is Energent and how does a citizen cooperative work?

The cooperative co-invests in renewable energy projects and is ecologically and socially committed



photo: Energent, Gent 2014