Local ownership policy for municipalities almost ready

The municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn is developing a policy framework for financial participation and sustainable energy generation. The municipality aims to be energy neutral by 2050. This is included in the Coalition agreement Visible and Close by and in the Sustainability programme of the municipality. The objectives are that by 2030, 20 per cent of energy consumption will be generated sustainably and that at least 50 per cent (with a preference for 100 per cent) of large-scale energy projects will be locally owned.

The Policy Framework for Financial Participation and Sustainable Energy Generation is an important pillar of this ambition. The framework focuses on the participation of residents in sustainable energy projects. Financial participation involves, among other things, local ownership. More specifically, it involves legal ownership of the production facility (such as a solar field or wind turbines). This means that a group of residents and entrepreneurs from the local area collectively or jointly (partially) own the sustainable energy generation project, usually in the form of an energy or village cooperative. As legal owners, the participants have a say in the project (and its development), are responsible for its management and share in the profits. Ownership also means that a party incurs any financial risks.

The draft Policy Framework for Financial Participation and Sustainable Energy Generation addresses issues such as local ownership. There are also other arrangements/variants whereby local residents do not own the facility or bear any risk, but do enjoy the benefits of the energy generated. The draft policy framework will be discussed by the municipal council this spring.

– April 2025