On 12–13 June 2025, the HERCULES-CE project partners gathered in Labin, Croatia, for their fourth transnational meeting, hosted by IRENA. This two-day event marked a significant milestone in the project’s implementation, blending insightful site visits, strategic networking and intensive work sessions.
Strengthening synergies and advancing REC pilots
The meeting opened with a joint networking event bringing together representatives from three EU projects: HERCULES-CE, NRGCOM and EnerCmed. This high-level exchange, held at Labin City Hall, highlighted best practices and synergies among projects fostering Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). IRENA introduced their regional energy community model, followed by a presentation from FB on collaborative project outcomes.
Participants then visited key sites planned or already involved in REC development:
- Public parking in Old Town Labin – showcasing plans for PV installations and shared infrastructure for future community use;
- Samački dom residential building – illustrating ownership structures and citizen participation models in RECs;
- Mate Blažina High School – demonstrating the installed heat pump system and future plans for energy community integration.
- Mate Blažina High School – demonstrating the installed heat pump system and future plans for energy community integration.
The second day focused on project coordination: communication tasks were reviewed by DGRV and RER (LP) led discussions on management, financial reporting and the next implementation steps.
The Labin meeting not only reinforced technical coordination and progress tracking but also strengthened the project’s collaborative spirit by exchanging ideas with peer projects. The site visits offered real-world inspiration for scaling up community energy in Central Europe.
Stay tuned as HERCULES-CE continues to empower local communities through renewable energy!
