The BeauVent Renewable Energy Cooperative (BeauVent CV) was founded in 2000 in Ostend, one of the largest cities on the English Channel coast of Belgium, to create social support for renewable energy by involving and giving a voice to as many people as possible. It brings together more than 9000 members who help build local, sustainable energy projects. The BeauVent CV invests in solar energy, wind energy, combined heat and power cogeneration systems, and district heating networks and is looking to increase these investments.
Frédéric Haghebaert, General Manager of the BeauVent CV 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.
When was your cooperative founded and how did the founders come together?
Our cooperative was founded in 2000. 3 house fathers wanted to invest in renewable energy and organized a crowd funding in the village.
What was the purpose behind founding the cooperative?
According to the conditions at the time of our establishment, our aim was to build 2 large wind turbines.
What was the initial number of members in your cooperative, and how many are there now? What are you doing to increase the number of members?
Beauvent started with only a few people (friends, families and fools). Currently, we have 9000 members. We develop projects and organize capital increases around these projects.
Could you tell us about the profile of the members (do they all live in the same place, are they all the same type of electricity consumers, etc.)?
Most of them live in Flanders (not necessarily only local residents).
Does your cooperative have members from other countries?
We have a few members from other countries. But their numbers are very limited.
How was the cooperative financed? Did you receive support from the government or any other organisation to set up the cooperative?
We didn’t receive local support or any other organization regarding the founding of the cooperative.
What is the total installed capacity and annual electricity production (kWh) of the cooperative? What type of energy production do you have?
Solar: > 30 MWp (Energy production: +/- 30 GWh)
Wind: 6,9 MW (Energy production: 14 GWh)
We also deliver 28 GWh of sustainable heat and have a lot of production through 6 CHP (combined heat power) installations (10 MWe).
Do you only sell electricity to your members?
Not directly (a permit is required), but we sell it through another cooperative which owns the necessary permit.
How is the cooperative managed?
Members vote during the yearly General Assembly and they assign a board of directors. The board assigns a General Manager. I am the General Manager of the co-operative. We have monthly board meetings.
In your opinion, what are the success factors for developing a cooperative?
The general purpose of the cooperative is to actively contribute to the energy transition engaging people in local projects. ‘Doing good’
In your opinion, what are the obstacles to the development of the cooperative?
Becoming a professional company.
What are your future plans for the cooperative?
Further growth in each of energy production division (Solar, Wind, Combined Heat and Power Cogeneration, District Heating).
What do you suggest to people who want to start renewable energy cooperatives?
Reflect on the markets you want to serve, where can you provide the most value, where can you differentiate.
Finally, do you have any messages you would like to forward?
Good luck!
Note: The featured image is taken from Beauvent’s Instagram page.
