Lithuania’s RENCOP partnership and community energy project in Pagramantis

Through the Co2mmunity project (the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme), an expert-driven RENCOP (Renewable ENergy Cooperative Partnership) has been established in Lithuania with members including the Kaunas regional energy agency, two universities, representatives from municipalities, and national associations (renewable energy, solar energy), and three private companies engaged in renewable energy technology. The RENCOP has focused on raising awareness of community energy projects and clarifying social, financial, and ecological benefits. In Pagramantis, in 2017, the idea was put forward to establish a community house to support the independent living of single, elderly people. In early 2018, within the framework of the Co2mmunity project, the citizens of Pagramantis, together with the RENCOP partnership, were inspired to generate their own renewable energy projects by installing solar PV panels on a local community building. The initial simple idea of a nursing home turned after a few years into a multi-functional centre (Paramaniac bendruomenės centras “Gramančia”), with renewable energy production: 30 kWp solar PV capacity, secured in 2021.