The Nordic Energy Municipality 2011 Project
The Nordic Energy Municipality 2011 project highlights sustainable energy, green growth and energy-related climate efforts in the Nordic countries. The initiative particularly recognises municipalities having introduced special efforts to undertake innovative energy projects. All Nordic municipalities have been invited to take part in the competition.
During the period October 2010 to February 2011, 44 Nordic municipalities forwarded an application to the Nordic Energy Municipality 2011 competition, each describing one cutting-edge energy project launched in their municipality.
Of these 44 applicants, 14 municipalities representing nearly all Nordic countries and self-governing areas were nominated for the award in March 2011.
The second evaluation process took place during the summer of 2011, where the Nordic Jury appointed the Nordic Energy Municipality 2011.
Award ceremony
On 31 October 2011, the Nordic Prime Ministers met in Copenhagen for the Globalisation Forum. In connection with this event, the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr. Jyrki KATAINEN revealed that the Danish municipality of Albertslund was announced as Nordic Energy Municipality 2011. Moreover, both the Norwegian municipality of Drammen and Lidköping Municipality from Sweden received a special recognition of their projects.
See the publication of the winner on YouTube:
Photo from the announcement event 31 October 2011, Copenhagen
Albertslund has won with the project
"The Albertslund concept – energy—efficient renovation of homes".
The project of Albertslund includes energy-efficient renovation of prefabricated buildings from the 1960s and 1970s. The aim of the project is to develop and demonstrate standardized energy solutions for prefabricated buildings, which form a significant part of the built environment in most suburbs in the Nordic countries. The project has been developed in a close cooperation between among others the municipality, housing associations, industries and research institutions.
The jury, headed by spokesperson Marie Donnelly from the European Commission, explained the choice of Albertslund by saying that the project was about one of the major global issues, i.e. energy savings in existing homes. At the same time she also stressed the fact that the project in the most brilliant way demonstrates the great potential of developing industry and green growth through a productive collaboration between e.g. local authorities, housing associations and private companies.
More information can be found on www.norden.org
Two other municipalities also received an award at the announcement event:
Drammen Municipality from Norway received the recognition as "Runner-up" project, given due to a very ambitious low-energy school project where among other things the energy supply system interacts with the surrounding public buildings
Link to project description.
Further, the Swedish municipality of Lidköping received the title "Special Mentioned" for its targeted and successful utilization of waste. In Lidköping, waste is converted to liquid fuel / biogas, to be used for many energy purposes in the municipality. Link to project description.
The organisation behind
The Nordic Energy Municipality 2011 initiative is based on cooperation between the Danish and Finnish Presidencies of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic countries' representatives within the Nordic energy co-operation (Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Energy) constitute the project steering committee.
In 2010, the Danish Energy Agency had the primary responsibility for the project coordination, while the Finnish Ministry of Employment and Economy coordinated the initiative in 2011.
Currently, no final decision has been made on whether the appointment will take place again. Marketing activities will continue in 2012.
Updated February 2012
