On June 29, RES Foundation held a workshop aimed at better understanding of technically, financially and operationally demanding projects in the field of energy transition that are being developed or implemented with significant participation of international financing and public loans.
The aim of the workshop was to introduce media representatives to the way in which such projects can be analyzed from the point of view of public interest, availability of data, distribution of costs and benefits, as well as verifiability of expected energy, environmental and social effects. Special focus was on the methodology that allows complex project processes to be parsed into clear questions: what problem does the project solve, what alternatives were considered, who finances the project, who has immediate benefits and who bears the risks if the expected results are not achieved.
The workshop was based on four case studies in the field of energy efficiency, district heating, use of renewable energy sources and support to households for cleaner energy. Through these examples, it was discussed how decision-making processes can be followed: from identifying the need and choosing a technical solution, to financing, implementation and monitoring results.
RES Foundation’s approach in this initiative is aimed at developing an analytical framework that helps to present the benefits, costs, assumptions and risks of significant investments of public money in energy transition projects to the public in an understandable way. Such a framework can contribute to a better understanding of public policies in the field of energy and a better public debate on projects that have long-term financial, environmental and social consequences.
The workshop was organized as part of RES Foundation’s activities aimed at strengthening public accountability and transparency in planning and implementation of the energy transition in Serbia.