About the project
Energy Independent School Ostrog
Kaštela Energy Cooperative realized the idea of the first energy independent school (which is also their member), in cooperation with the UNDP Croatia, Green Energy Cooperative, Split-Dalmatia County and local private companies. In addition to previous replacement of classic bulbs with new and five times more efficient LED bulbs, the school produces electricity for its own needs with a solar power plant (22 kW) on its roof. The Ostrog elementary school in Kaštel Lukšić achieved complete energy independence in terms of electricity.
This is one of the first examples of organizing a local community into an energy cooperative and implementing a specific community energy project in Croatia. Likewise, the installation of the solar power plant was made without state incentives, according to a model that is also applicable to other schools and energy cooperatives.
Results
For the first time in Croatia, we implemented innovative financing models such as crowdfunding for a solar power plant, through which initial funds were secured for an energy-independent elementary school, net metering and the ESCo contract, as well as cooperation between energy cooperatives and representatives of local authorities. About HRK 130,000 was collected for the school through the crowdfunding campaign, through the Indiegogo platform and local action.
Duration of the project: 2013-2014
