In Belgium, which relies heavily on fossil resources [coal (5%), oil (39%), natural gas (26%)] for its entire energy supply (IEA, 2023), citizens’ initiatives have been instrumental in accelerating the development of renewable energy cooperatives. One such cooperative that aims to support Belgium’s transition away from fossil fuels in electricity generation is Allons en Vent SC, a renewable energy cooperative founded in 2001. Based on wind energy, Allons en Vent aims to create a sustainable future for children. Since its establishment, the cooperative has spent the last 23 years pursuing the idea of producing electricity independently within the framework of sustainable development goals.
Lionel Van Rillaer, President of the Allons en Vent SC Cooperative answered my questions by e-mail. I would like to thank him for sharing their experiences with readers in Türkiye a country where renewable energy cooperatives are still in their infancy.
20 Years of Cooperative Experience and Counting
When was your cooperative founded and how did the founders come together?
In 2001. It was founded by 19 friends in the village of Mesnil-Eglise (Belgium).
What was the purpose behind the foundation of the cooperative?
Building a windmill close to the village and having for the children of the village as owners of the windmill.
How many members did your cooperative had initially and how many of them there are currently? What do you do to increase the number of your members?
Initial number of members: 850. Current members: 910. We do not increase the number of members anymore (no need for additional equity).
Could you tell us about the profile of your members? (Do all of your members live in the same place? Are they the same type of electricity consumers? etc.)
Members were initially only children, mainly living in the village of Mesnil-Eglise (municipality of Houyet) and surrounding villages. Also a few from the city of Brussels (capital of Belgium).
Wind Energy for the Future of Our Children
Does your cooperative have members from other countries?
Yes, because some children travelled with their parents. We today have members in Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Colombia, Canada, USA.
How did you find financial backing for the cooperative? Have you received support from the government or any other organization during the founding of the cooperative?
200.000 EUR of equity (by the sale of shares to the members) + 500.000 EUR bank loan (bank Triodos) + 122.000 EUR subsidies from the government (Région Wallonne).
What are the total installed capacity and yearly electricity production (kWh) of the cooperative? Which type of energy sources do you use?
Installed capacity: 800 kW; Yearly production: 1.050 MWh; wind energy
Do you sell electricity exclusively to your members?
No, we inject the electricity on the network, and we sell it to a supplier. We do not sell the electricity to our members.
How is the cooperative managed?
By 5 directors (all volunteers, nobody is paid).
In your view, what are the success factors for developing a cooperative?
Having a strong team of people, with a mix of competences (technical, financial, legal, communication).
In your view, what are the barriers for the development of cooperatives?
In Belgium there are no barriers for the development of cooperatives. Allons en Vent was one of the first one in Wallonia (Southern part of Belgium) in 2001, and today there are more than 20. See https://www.rescoop-wallonie.be/
What are your future plans for the cooperative?
Invest in other project of renewables.
What are your suggestions to people who think about founding renewable energy cooperatives?
Have a strong team of people, with a mix of competences (technical, financial, legal, communication).
Finally, do you have any messages for our readers?
With a little funding from hundreds of people, you can achieve great things.
Note 1: Featured image, Allons En Vent Facebook Page
