Steinbeis experts support the establishment of an energy cooperative on the island of Borkum.
There is a growing need for concrete measures to mitigate the serious consequences of climate change. Islands are particularly vulnerable to impacts such as the increased risk of flooding due to rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events. Under the EU’s ISLANDER project, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is supporting the establishment of an energy cooperative on the North Sea island of Borkum, helping the islanders on their journey toward net zero. The project enables Borkum’s residents to actively engage in the energy transition.
All over the world, the energy sector is undergoing a transition marked by both technological and social change. The growing share of renewable energy has led to a multitude of actors becoming active in the energy market. Energy is now supplied by the likes of private households, farmers and cooperatives. The switch to renewable energy calls for careful planning and a strategy that takes all the relevant factors into account. Municipalities, islands and businesses must analyse their energy needs, identify appropriate energy sources, increase public acceptance and secure the necessary funding. Close cooperation with local residents, businesses and energy suppliers is crucial. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum helps municipalities, local communities and businesses to identify opportunities and funding options, introduce appropriate measures and implement projects. In addition to finding suitable international partners, this also involves supporting the entire implementation process, from the initial idea to the business model and market launch.
The energy transition on Borkum is underway
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has been assisting the island of Borkum In Its energy transition since 2015, initially within the framework of the EU’s NETfficient initiative and latterly through the ISLANDER project. This project involves the development of an efficient energy management platform that integrates different energy sources and manages them centrally in order to compensate for fluctuations in energy generation. Local solutions that support flexibility, such as storage technologies and demand-side management, are combined with renewable energy sources. In addition, an innovative heating system employing a seawater heat pump and a thermal storage system has been installed in a recently built neighborhood near Borkum’s port, while a large hydrogen storage system has also been deployed. The project provides a blueprint for fully decarbonising the island, setting it on course for a zero-carbon energy system by 2030.
Energy cooperatives: a sustainable solution that engages local communities
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has been supporting the establishment of an energy community (Energiegemeinschaft) in partnership with Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH (NBG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the municipality of Borkum. Although still under incorporation, the Energiewelle Borkum eG cooperative held its inaugural meeting in Borkum on March 8th 2025. Under the framework of the ISLANDER project, an analysis was carried out on the initiative’s technical feasibility and financial viability, as well as on the public participation processes on the island. The Steinbeis experts assessed the technical and financial aspects of the possible technological solutions in order to maximise the energy cooperative’s potential and identify the best way forward. Discussions with interested members of the public and close consultation with NBGlaid the foundation for a “Energiegenossenschaft” (energy cooperative) with the clear aim of enabling the people of Borkum to actively engage in the energy transition and take local energy production directly into their own hands.
Energy cooperatives offer local residents the opportunity to come together to produce energy and develop sustainable energy solutions. They make an important contribution to the energy transition by promoting a local, decentralised energy supply and supporting energy independence. This in turn generates social and economic benefits for the community. Karoline Haack from Steinbeis Europa Zentrum summarises the project’s benefits: “The energy cooperative model enables the creation of a democratic, community-based structure whose members jointly invest in renewable energy projects. In addition to receiving dividends, they also benefit from a sustainable energy model that provides security of supply and adds value for the region”.
Citizen engagement workshops
A series of citizen engagement workshops informed the islanders about the benefits and legal structure of an energy cooperative. It soon became apparent that the first pilot project should focus on a solar PV installation, since these are relatively simple and quick to implement. A shortlist of suitable locations and properties for solar Installations on Borkum was drawn up during subsequent monthly meetings.
After close consultation with various electrical installers and experts, the energy cooperative decided on an initial project to install solar panels on the roofs of the Borkum sewage treatment plant. The aim is to sell the electricity generated to the municipality of Borkum at a fair price for direct consumption on site. The project has benefits for everyone involved. The municipality benefits from cheap, green electricity without having to worry about planning, financing, installing or maintaining the PV system. The energy cooperative generates income from selling the electricity, which it can then invest in other renewable energy projects. This supports the local energy transition and adds long-term value for the community.
Business plan and statutes set out basic principles
To establish the energy cooperative, the Steinbeis experts helped its members draw up a comprehensive business plan containing detailed investment, financing and liquidity plans. This was subsequently submitted to the cooperatives’ union for review. One advantage of the cooperative structure is the strong safeguard against insolvency that this review by the cooperatives’ union provides. The Steinbeis Enterprise also helped to draft the statutes, a key part of establishing the organisation. The statutes regulate the legal relationship between the cooperative and its members. Among other things, they define the nominal value of the shares, the establishment of statutory reserves and the rights and obligations of the members. They also contain regulations concerning the General Assembly, where each member has one vote and can thus have an active say in important decisions about the cooperative’s development and choice of projects.
Preparations almost complete
At the end of November 2024, the inhabitants of Borkum were informed about the foundation of the energy cooperative “Energiewelle Borkum”.. The aim was to recruit as many new members as possible to the energy cooperative – the final version of the business plan could only be drafted once the number of members and shares likely to be sold was known. As Karoline Haack explains, “The last step in setting up the cooperative is the review of the business plan by the cooperatives’ union, followed by a formal inaugural meeting. After that, the focus is on implementing the first project. The aim is to install the first solar panels in spring 2025 so we can benefit from the sunnier weather.”
Thanks to the support provided by Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and above all the engagement of the local community, Borkum is well on its way to becoming a shining example of a sustainable island.
The EU’s ISLANDER project
The ISLANDER project is promoting the use of renewable energy and storage technologies in island communities by replicating Borkum’s achievements on other European islands – Orkney in Scotland, Cres in Croatia, and Skopelos and Lefkada in Greece. The project Involves eleven organisations in seven European countries and will receive around seven million euros of EU funding between October 2020 and September 2025.
Contact
Karoline Haack (author)
Project Consultant
www.steinbeis-europa.de
Steinbeis 2i GmbH (Stuttgart)