Support with implementation of Sustainable Energy Community in Liberec: Request for Proposals (Updated)

Through the NetZeroCities City Expert Support Facility, NetZeroCities / Climate-KIC are requesting quotations to provide technical, legal and administrative assistance for the implementation of a Sustainable Energy Community (EC) in the city of Liberec, associated to the Department of Energy Management (creation of the legal-administrative entity).

About the request

City of Liberec wants to act as a facilitator for the creation of the EC. To that end, the city council of Liberec, specifically its Department of Energy Management, shall constitute an association in which it will participate in the form of a limited liability company with other members or associates. The city council will participate as a member in the governing bodies of the association and, later on, could cede the leading role to the other participants in the community. The association is expected to be established in January (articles and statutes are prepared for this entity already.

Therefore, in this initial phase the city will play a significant driving role, acting as the driving force, in which it will participate through an economic contribution: either by transferring the necessary spaces (municipal building roofs) for the implementation of the renewable energy installation or the energy production generated in these assets. In the 2nd phase, by 2026, the EC is expected to expand.

The following phases and activities are anticipated:

• Definition phase (M1):

The objective of this phase is the development and delivery of the work plan, conceptual and methodological framework of the consultancy. In this phase setting the scene, this is understanding the technical and economic aspects of the operational model (technical preconditions), is key to selecting the governance model and legal form. Aspects of organization and internal functioning will be specified according to the national law that regulates associations.

• Legal constitution (M1 to M4):

According to the EC governance approach (participatory model of the city and other stakeholders), the selected legal structure will be deployed in this phase. The association’s internal regulations will include the requirements for establishing and operating aspects related to the admission of new members, internal communication, meetings, etc. Furthermore, it is important to analyse all consumers and producers in terms of their consumption/PVE production to ensure the sharing will reach the maximum potential among the sharing group (in line with Czech legislation and allocation keys available).

With this aim the following tasks should be carried out:

• Preparation of the statutes and internal regulations.
• Manage authorisations and licensing for the installation.
• Register the CE with the relevant bodies.
• Manage permits for grid connection.

• Follow-up phase (M5):

In this phase, a strategic plan for the future development of the EC will be developed. This phase will also comprise the verification of the administration and operational management of the EC and assurance and maintenance of the facilities.

The proposal should consider the following:

• Alignment with the energetic and operational model (technical preconditions) for moving forward the administrative and management models.
• Consulting services providing legal and administrative assistance and support for the development of the EC.
• Knowledge of the Czech legal environment and experience in energetics and community energy management.

The supplier will ensure sufficient financial, economic, technical, and professional capacity to deliver the services efficiently and effectively.

Please find all relevant information including full scope, milestones, and all related information below.

Timeline and additional information

Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals by 8 January to Radka Reil & Mateusz Hoffmann, CESF Manager [CESF@netzerocities.eu]. Proposals should include and address all specific requirements related to the request which can be found below.