The Jēkabpils pilot began with a practical municipal need: to use locally generated renewable energy more efficiently, reduce public expenditure and strengthen energy security.
The idea of participating in StartSun came from the municipality’s Development Planning and Investment Department. Jēkabpils Municipality already had an established Energy Management System whose objectives were audited annually. The municipality regularly analysed how effectively its resources were being used, which provided a strong basis for exploring an energy community model.
According to the municipality, the applicable legal framework does not permit it to sell the electricity it generates. An energy community could offer another solution by allowing surplus electricity remaining after self-consumption to be shared among municipal buildings.
The necessary equipment has been installed, but the energy community association has not yet been established. The municipality is analysing electricity production data and consulting electricity suppliers to assess whether establishing the association would be financially viable.
Why this case matters
Jēkabpils illustrates the practical steps and challenges involved in combining renewable energy generation, battery storage and potential electricity sharing between municipal buildings.
Main challenge
The main barriers have been legal uncertainty and the need to coordinate the technical, organisational and energy-use requirements of different municipal buildings. The financial viability of establishing an energy community association is still being assessed.
Lesson for others
Plan renewable energy investments as a connected system, involve the relevant municipal departments early and examine the legal, technical and financial conditions before implementation.
A model built around public buildings
The first institutions involved were the Development Planning and Investment Department and civil engineers from the Infrastructure Management Department. As the project developed, other municipal departments and specialists also became involved, including the Education Department, development planning specialists and staff responsible for the participating buildings.
The pilot focused on municipal buildings that provide essential public services and support socially vulnerable groups. Their energy consumption was also analysed to identify opportunities to reduce the burden on the municipal budget.
Schools, preschools and sports facilities play an important role in community life. Preschools and schools provide childcare and education, support children’s development and help families balance work and family responsibilities. Sports halls promote physical activity, support athletes and host competitions and community events that bring together people of different ages and backgrounds.
These buildings are also significant energy consumers. Improving their energy efficiency and supplying them with locally generated renewable energy can reduce municipal expenditure and free up resources for other public needs.
The original site had to be changed
The initial plan involved installing solar panels on a preschool building selected in line with the project’s social objectives. However, after the project began, it was found that the preschool’s roof structure was unsuitable for solar panels.
The municipality therefore decided to implement the project at Jēkabpils 2nd Secondary School instead.
The school uses electricity for its day-to-day operations. Electricity stored in the battery can also power its security alarm system, ventilation and other electrical equipment.
The city sports hall was included because it is one of the largest electricity consumers among the municipality’s buildings. It also provides services to a wide range of residents, including socially vulnerable groups. Its role is to fulfil the municipality’s responsibilities in the field of sports, support local athletes participating in competitions and promote healthy lifestyles among residents.
Including the school and sports hall in the proposed model created an opportunity to assess whether surplus electricity generated at one municipal building could be used at another, and whether this would reduce overall electricity costs.
The practical benefits shaped local interest
The project aimed to address several local needs: reducing municipal expenditure, improving energy efficiency, increasing energy security and independence, and establishing a system for sharing surplus electricity between municipal buildings.
These aims made the project relevant to residents as well. It offered a visible example of how renewable energy solutions could work in practice while helping the municipality use public resources more efficiently.
The project was received positively by both the municipal leadership and local residents. Residents were informed about the project through social media, where the response was also positive.
However, the people involved still had important questions. The main concerns were how much benefit the proposed model would provide and whether it would be financially worthwhile. These questions remain central to the assessment now under way.
Legal uncertainty shaped the process
The project began before Latvia’s legislation on energy communities had been fully developed. This created uncertainty, raised questions and delayed parts of the process.
The biggest challenges were legal, although these also slowed down organisational decisions. Developing the proposed model required the municipality to consider legal requirements alongside technical solutions and the different energy consumption patterns of the participating buildings.
Planning electricity sharing between several public buildings was not simply a matter of installing equipment. The municipality also needed to examine how surplus electricity could be shared efficiently while accounting for the technical requirements and energy needs of each building.
Despite these uncertainties, several practical steps were completed. The existing situation was assessed, recommendations were prepared, the necessary equipment was purchased and installed, and the public was informed about the project. Establishing the energy community association remains a separate step, subject to the ongoing financial assessment.
Municipal cooperation kept the process moving
Because the municipality was responsible for implementing the project, cooperation between different departments was essential.
The process brought together civil engineers, education specialists, development planning staff and other municipal employees. Each contributed a different perspective, from building infrastructure and energy consumption to public services and project planning.
The responsible municipal staff monitored the project’s progress and results closely. This helped keep the practical activities on schedule despite the legal and organisational uncertainties.
The experience highlighted that preparing an energy community requires more than renewable energy equipment. It also needs careful planning, technical coordination, a clear legal framework and cooperation between the institutions involved.
A storm demonstrated the value of energy storage
The importance of energy storage became especially clear when a severe storm hit Jēkabpils Municipality in August. According to the municipality, the storm caused a municipality-wide loss of electricity and telephone communications.
The school’s battery storage allowed essential systems, including the security alarm and ventilation, to continue operating during the power outage.
The incident changed how many people viewed energy storage. It showed that batteries can help maintain essential functions during disruptions as well as support more efficient use of solar electricity.
Potential benefits of sharing surplus electricity
The proposed energy community would allow surplus electricity remaining after self-consumption to be shared among municipal buildings. If financially viable, this could help the municipality make greater use of locally generated renewable energy and reduce expenditure on electricity, potentially freeing up resources for other public services.
Battery storage has already demonstrated its value by keeping essential school systems operating during a power outage. The additional benefits of sharing electricity between buildings still need to be assessed.
The experience highlights the importance of considering generation, storage and the energy needs of different buildings together when planning municipal renewable energy investments.
Current status and next steps
Jēkabpils Municipality has installed renewable energy and battery storage equipment, but the energy community association has not yet been established. The municipality is currently analysing electricity production data and consulting electricity suppliers to assess whether establishing the association would be financially viable.
If the association is established, the aim is to share surplus electricity remaining after self-consumption among municipal buildings. This would build on the investments already made, with the goal of using locally generated electricity more efficiently and reducing municipal expenditure on electricity. The assessment needs to consider both the potential savings and the costs associated with sharing electricity.
For other municipalities, the experience underlines the importance of involving relevant departments early and assessing the legal, technical and financial conditions for energy sharing alongside investments in equipment. Public buildings can also serve as practical examples of renewable energy generation and storage for the wider community.
Jēkabpils has taken practical steps towards a possible energy community. Renewable energy generation and storage provide a foundation, while the ongoing financial assessment will help determine whether and how electricity sharing between municipal buildings can become a workable next step.
Interested to learn more?
Join us on 22 September 2026 for the conference “From Concept to Community: Launching Solar Energy Communities“. This conference brings together local authorities, community initiatives, apartment associations, energy community leaders, developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and others interested in local renewable energy.
The conference will share practical experiences, success stories and challenges from developing solar energy communities, including technical, social and funding-related aspects, as well as cooperation models for turning ideas into action. Participants will also be introduced to the StartSun handbook and energy community feasibility calculator. The conference will be held in English and is co-funded by the European Union.