Sustainable use of Energy in Municipalities

Municipalities play a key role in reducing climate gas emissions, both through their own business and operations, by facilitating the use of RES and RUE in the private sector, and through awareness raising activities for private households.

All Norwegian municipalities established a sustainable energy plan by 1 July 2010. These plans are an important tool to achieve the necessary change in energy use in the region. The Inland Norway Energy Agency will support all the 48 Inland municipalities and the 2 Inland counties in implementing the planned activities described in these plans. This will be done in close cooperation with the regional department of the National Municipalities Organization (KS).

Goals

The goals within the municipality sector are to:

• Contributing to a significant reduction in the use of electricity in public buildings
• Contributing to energy labeling of public buildings according to the national certification system
• Contributing to increased use of renewable energy systems for heating in public buildings, in advantage of fossil energy sources and electricity
• Promoting the concepts of new energy efficient buildings
• Contribute to the establishment of local energy advisors in all municipalities in the region

Means

The goals will be achieved through:

• Training sessions and seminars within different areas of RES and RUE, state of the art technology, best practice, and national and international financing schemes; especially focusing on buildings and transportation
• Training sessions and promoting of environmental certification schemes
• Increase the knowledge of European networks and activities within RES and REU, including encouraging the municipalities to participate in the yearly European Mobility Week/Car Free Day, Earth Hour etc.
• Lobbying towards municipality leaders to establish local energy advisors, and establish a network for these advisors for training and experience exchange
• Supporting municipal actions to extend biomass based district heating systems
• Offering advisory services to the municipalities on RES and RUE issues, national and international financing schemes, best practice, and local energy planning
• Written information materials and brochures
• Extensive, practical and useful information on the Agency's web page