This roundtable represents an important step in the dialogue on Serbia's energy future, and the organizers expressed hope that similar events will contribute to the faster and more efficient implementation of this concept in practice
What do energy communities bring us?
As part of the ENGAGE project, a roundtable titled "What do energy communities bring us?" was held in Gorjani, bringing together representatives of local governments, renewable energy experts, and citizens interested in improving energy efficiency. The event aimed to familiarize participants with the concept of energy communities and the possibilities for their implementation in local areas.
The roundtable was opened by Ivan Lović, municipal head of Gorjani, and Dušan Vasiljević, a renewable energy expert from NALED, who emphasized in their opening remarks the importance of energy communities for the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. They highlighted that this model not only contributes to energy independence but also enables citizens and businesses to actively participate in energy production and consumption, reducing costs and dependence on large distributors.
Following the introductory speeches, a detailed presentation provided participants with key insights into energy communities—a model in which citizens, businesses, and public institutions jointly produce, use, and distribute energy, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The presentation covered organizational structures, legal frameworks, and technical aspects of establishing such communities, alongside successful initiatives from the region and Europe. Key advantages were also outlined, including reduced reliance on major energy systems, more stable energy prices, better consumption control, and environmental benefits through the use of renewable sources.
Special attention was given to the role of local governments, which can facilitate the establishment of energy communities by informing stakeholders, connecting interested parties, and creating incentive measures for citizens and businesses.
The event concluded with an informal gathering, allowing participants to continue discussions and network with experts and institutional representatives. The key takeaway was that energy communities have great potential for enhancing energy sustainability, but their wider adoption requires greater awareness and appropriate regulatory support.
Participants emphasized the need for educating citizens and businesses about the benefits of energy communities and simplifying administrative procedures, which currently pose challenges to their formation.
This roundtable marks an important step in the dialogue on Serbia's energy future, and organizers expressed hope that similar events will contribute to the faster and more effective implementation of this concept in practice.
