Breakfast with Pomurje Mayors: From Pilot Solutions to Concrete Local Energy Measures

At the professional event “Breakfast with Pomurje Mayors”, the lead partner of the ESINERGY project, LEA Pomurje, presented the key objectives of the project and the opportunities for transferring innovative energy solutions into local environments across Pomurje municipalities.

The event highlighted that ESINERGY pilot activities are not only about testing technologies, but also about demonstrating how municipalities can strengthen local energy resilience, reduce long-term energy costs, and accelerate the transition towards smarter and more sustainable communities.

The main focus of the meeting was the presentation of the Master Plan, prepared as a professional basis for municipalities in:

• updating local energy concepts,

• developing energy communities,

• reducing costs and risks related to energy price fluctuations,

• integrating energy solutions into spatial planning,

• preparing mature projects for further financing and implementation.

Mayors and municipal representatives were also introduced to 8 pilot actions from the Danube Region, including examples from Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine. These pilot projects demonstrate practical approaches for integrating renewable energy sources, battery storage systems, smart management solutions, and energy communities into everyday local operations.

Particular attention was given to the Slovenian pilot solution for smart energy management, demonstrating effective coordination of energy production, consumption, storage, and electric vehicle charging at building level. The presented solutions show how public buildings and municipalities can transition from passive energy consumers to active managers of local energy systems.

The pilot activities confirmed that these solutions contribute to reducing peak loads, increasing energy independence, lowering CO₂ emissions, and creating more stable and efficient local energy systems. Beyond technical results, the pilots also strengthened cooperation between municipalities, public institutions, energy experts, and local stakeholders.

An important outcome of the meeting was also the signing of Letters of Intent, through which municipalities expressed their interest in further cooperation and integrating the presented solutions into their local development strategies.

The concluding message of the event was clear: the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future is only possible through cooperation among local communities, the transfer of good practices, and concrete actions on the ground.