Looking back: second edition Limburg symposium energy communities

Under the slogan "Building local power and a sustainable future together," REScoop Limburg and Rabobank organized the second Limburg symposium for energy cooperatives. After the successful first edition in 2024, the symposium again provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, deepening and cooperation. The meeting took place at Beachclub Degreez in Panheel and brought together representatives of local energy initiatives, governments and businesses to exchange experiences and take the next steps towards a sustainable Limburg together.

Local energy communities on the rise

In the Netherlands, more and more energy communities are emerging: partnerships of citizens, businesses and/or local governments that jointly generate, use, store or share sustainable energy. In this process, citizen initiatives act as local connectors between the various parties. This movement is crucial for both the energy transition and for strengthening the local community. Through joint investments in, for example, solar or wind energy and locally organized consumption, the energy transition is accelerated, revenues remain local and the support for sustainability grows.

"As a cooperative bank, we are closely connected to society," emphasized Monique Luijten, Cooperative Director Limburg at Rabobank. "Energy communities are a powerful example of local ownership and cooperation. Rabobank supports them with knowledge, network and financing - from idea to realization. Our partnership with REScoop Limburg fits this seamlessly. This symposium provides a platform where vision and practice come together, and where together we make the acceleration of the energy transition concrete."

Building a sustainable Limburg together

The symposium was organized by REScoop Limburg, the partnership of independent sustainable energy cooperatives, and Rabobank. Both parties expressed their desire to further intensify their cooperation to make Limburg ready for the future. Johan Verstappen, Chairman REScoop Limburg, adds: "Energy communities fit perfectly with the mission of local energy cooperatives: sustainable solutions by and for the region. The principle of 'local4local' really makes a difference in this. Local power is the engine of sustainability. The energy transition cannot be achieved alone, but together - with citizens, businesses and a cooperative partner like Rabobank."

Connections within the provincial ecosystem

During interactive sessions, participants gained insights into current topics such as grid congestion, new business models and local ownership. Keynote speakers Kay Beckers (Stantec) and Lennart Bijnagte (Energie Samen Rivierenland) shared their views on the power of energy communities. Beckers called for practical collaboration and smart energy solutions through interconnection opportunities, while Bijnagte advocated collective storage and conscious energy use. Both emphasized the importance of local connection and ownership as the foundation for a successful energy transition. The sessions offered concrete tools for next steps in their own regions and provided an inspiring opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other's successes and make new connections within the broader provincial ecosystem.

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