On March 9, 2016, the kick-off-meeting of EUSALP Action Group 9 Energy took place in Bolzano. AG 9 aims at “making the Alps a model region for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies” and is coordinated by the director of the Agency for Energy South Tyrol – CasaClima, Dr. Ing. Ulrich Santa.
EUSALP covers 48 Regions, seven countries and 70 million inhabitants. The strategy focuses on the three areas of economic growth and innovation, mobility and connectivity, and environment and energy. It aims at fostering cooperation of the Alpine Regions and States and aims at finding coordinated solutions to common challenges and opportunities in the macro region.
The topics of energy efficiency and renewable energies are addressed by action group 9. The Alpine Region still has potentials for the expansion of renewable energies. This expansion, however, must be exploited taking into consideration aspects of conservation of the landscape and the environment. Enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings, infrastructure and the economy are further priorities of action group 9. The director of the Agency for Energy South Tyrol – CasaClima concluded the first meeting saying that: “Transregional challenges have to be addressed jointly and in a solidary way, especially in the area of energy and climate protection. Harmonized approaches enable us to act more effectively and to strengthen the Alpine Region. During the kick-off-meeting, we laid out the basis for cooperation and defined the next actions.”
