Green technologies for the use of renewable energy sources and the efficient and economical use of energy are becoming a major industry of the 21st century. At the same time they offer the potential of decentralized supply structures which favor regional economic cycles.
Thus, a power supply in the district of Osterholz, based on decentralized and renewable sources, and an economical use of energy, can bind year after year an economic power in regional economic cycles for the equivalent of about 110 million euros per year. With these conditions, investments can be made, innovations, additional jobs and training places can be developed. By involving stakeholders the middle class will be strengthened and economic structures in rural areas will be supported.
The regional growth project “Energy Competence Osterholz” provided the necessary support for small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from the Green Industries and to assert against nationally active companies. As part of the long-term strategy for “Energiewende Osterholz 2030”, the project connected actors from the region since 2012, appeared moderating and set innovative ideas for a sustainable and economically dynamic energy supply in the District of Osterholz.
In ownership of the European Institute for Innovation (EIfI) policy, administrations, enterprises and craft businesses in the District of Osterholz work together to ensure the needs of the region’s electricity and heat completely by domestic producers. And goal is to meet the energy needs of the district in the year 2030 completely by local regenerative energy sources and to promote consistently the use of energy efficiency technologies.
From January 2012 to March 2015 the project eliminated barriers in the implementation of efficient energy management in the district and the municipalities, and supported handicraft businesses and local authorities in the development of new, innovative market segments.
The project was supported by the European Union with view to cooperation and initiatives to strengthen the regional economic structure.
Municipal partners
City of Osterholz-Scharmbeck
Municipality Lilienthal
Municipality Schwanewede
Municipality Ritterhude
Municipality Worpswede
Municipality Hambergen
Municipality Grasberg
Funding Programme
N-Bank Hannover
European Regional Development Fund
Utilities
EWE AG
Osterholzer Stadtwerke
Financial Institutions
Volksbank Osterholz eG
Volksbank Schwanewede eG
Volksbank Worpswede eG