Energy communities training held in Virovitica

Mayor Ivica Kirin, senior municipal officers, and representatives of local institutions and companies gathered at Virovitica City Hall for a training on energy communities, forming part of Virovitica's contribution to the NONA project's broader objective of strengthening governance capacities for the development and adaptive reuse of underutilised public spaces. Energy community models have been identified as a key instrument for sustainable public sector management within this framework.

The workshop programme covered the legislative framework governing energy communities in Croatia, including the Act on Energy Efficiency and Energy Communities (ZOIEVUK), the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), and the role of the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA). Participants also examined existing energy community models in Croatia, with a focus on their applicability within local and regional self-government units and public institutions.

Case studies presented the experience of the Northern Adriatic Energy Community (EZSJ Rijeka), alongside relevant examples from Austria and Italy, exploring opportunities for transferring good practice to the Virovitica context. While citizen energy community models and the potential for broader community involvement were also discussed, the workshop's primary focus remained on building public sector capacity to establish and manage energy communities.

A dedicated session simulated the development of an energy community model tailored to the City of Virovitica, including an assessment of solar potential, self-consumption levels, and key economic indicators within a public sector framework.

The workshop concluded with an interactive session on governance models, local energy initiatives, and pathways for wider community involvement. The training was delivered by Damir Juričić and Damir Medved of Innerga d.o.o., specialists in the practical application of energy community models in the public sector.