And we are not talking about small change, which should contribute to local support for renewable energy projects in rural areas.
Specifically, the change in law means that, for example, an onshore wind turbine project with three 150 meter high wind turbines will generate pool funds of between DKK 4-5 million. DKK
Thisted Municipality has counted on this, where it is estimated that a two- to three-digit million amount from the green pool can potentially finance local initiatives over the next ten years.
However, I believe that even more turbo can be added to the support for renewable energy projects, if the green pool gets into the right hands more quickly.
Unclear criteria
It has been decided by the state that it is up to the individual municipality to decide how the green pool is to be administered and distributed.
I do not believe that it is appropriate for the individual municipality to set its own grant criteria and administer the funds.
If it does end up with the municipalities choosing to set the grant criteria, I would strongly encourage them to be clearer than before.
In my view, the most important criterion is that the funds come out to work very close to installation sites for the joy and benefit of neighbors of wind turbines and solar cells.
It does not seem logical or expedient to me that the green pool can go to projects at the other end of a municipality.
On the other hand, it makes good sense to dedicate the funds to the local area, where local associations must have quick access to the funds and preferably full discretion to designate and support the projects that they believe the area will benefit from.
In my world, decisions about what the funds are to be used for should not be defined or taken by municipal councils at all. In return, creativity and innovative power must be unleashed in the local communities.
Why the municipalities?
This leads me to the next problem, since the municipal councils have also been required to decide who will administer the funds.
The law states that the money is not included in the municipal budget, but instead must be allocated to projects in the local community and thus go directly to support local development as a supplement to municipal initiatives. It is therefore obvious that the funds are released as quickly as possible from the municipality to the local associations, so that they get to work where they do the most good.
The money must also be allocated within three years, otherwise it will be returned to the state.
It underlines the importance of the funds quickly getting into the right hands to lift local areas through noticeable growth and value.
If done right, I am sure that green pool will make a huge difference and be an important lever for the acceptance of RE projects as well as a booster for settlement and business promotion in areas close to future renewable energy projects.
2024-08-10 15:10:17
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