Vilawatt UTM: EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH ENERGY TRANSITION
In 2016 Viladecans launched Vilawatt, an energy transition initiative to improve energy governance at a local level by setting up a new Public Private Citizens Partnership (PPCP). The objective of the new governance model was empower and motivate citizens to play an active role in the energy transition process.
Recognizing its innovation side, the Vilawatt project was promoted by the UIA (Urban Innovative Action) program, placing our city at the level of cities such as Gothenburg or Paris in the field of sustainable urban development.
Under the umbrella of the PPCP, Vilawatt company provides at the present time key energy services in Viladecans: retrofitting buildings, energy consultancy, training and green community building, bulk energy purchase and providing a local currency linked with energy savings.
In March 2021 Vilawatt received a new recognition as a best practice being selected to be replicated in three European cities: Trikala (Greece), Seraing (Belgium) and Nagykanizsa (Hungary) by the URBACT Transfer Mechanism (UTM).
THE KEYS OF THE PROJECT
The four cities participating in this project are Viladecans (coordinator), Seraing (Belgium), Trikala (Greece) and Nagykanizsa (Hungary).
The main objective of the project is to transfer the Vilawatt experience to three European cities which also focus on fostering energy transition through cooperation with local agents.
Vilawatt is an innovative practice, a pioneering project of energy transition spearheaded by the Viladecans City Council, which is structured as a 5-pillar project where the Public-Private-Citizens Partnership (PPCP) is the umbrella for 4 work areas: retrofitting buildings; energy consultancy services, training and green community building; bulk energy purchase; and, energy currency.
A PROJECT LED BY VILADECANS
Vilawatt – UTM, which is part of the European URBACT program and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, is a project led by Viladecans whose mission is to adapt and transfer the Vilawatt innovative practice and experience to other participating cities. For Viladecans, the lessons learned from its participation in the Vilawatt-UTM project should help it develop a plan to adapt and improve Vilawatt to the current citizens needs and the strategic context of the city.
