The Practice of Rural Energy Democracy in Germany: The Legend of Wildpoldsried, Winner of the European Energy Award Gold

Editor's note: The German town of Wildpoldsried, which has developed rural renewable energy and won the European Energy Award Gold, not only develops green renewable energy but also has its residents invest collectively, achieving rural energy democracy. Deputy Mayor Günter Mögele will visit Taiwan, China for one week from 4/13 to 19 (see the end of this article for the itinerary). This article is a record written by the author after actually visiting Wildpoldsried, hosted by Deputy Mayor Günter Mögele, and written upon returning home. Readers are welcome to read it and take part in Günter Mögele's public events.

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Besides being a base for food production, cultural nurturing and landscape creation, what other role can a rural village play in human society? Wildpoldsried in Bavaria, Germany, offers a new imagination!

The Practice of Rural Energy Democracy - Wildpoldsried's Bold Vision

Wildpoldsried's administrative district is an autonomous municipality. It is in fact a small rural village with an area of about 21 sq km, about 1,413 hectares of farmland and a population of about 2,600. It is located 120 km from the southwestern suburbs of Munich, and no train passes through here. When I first went there, I took a train to the nearby city of Kempten, and then Deputy Mayor Günter Mögele picked me up by car. In 2014, the municipality won the European Energy Award Gold. Its actions on sustainable energy development have long been internationally recognized.

(Thanks to independent journalist in Germany Lin Yuli for assistance with proofreading.)

Note: The EU encourages communities to voluntarily participate in energy performance assessment

This is an award established by the EU for communities that voluntarily participate in energy performance assessment. Participating countries currently include Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. The assessment aspects include improving energy efficiency, reducing CO₂ emissions and the use of renewable energy, among others. The Gold Award is its highest honor. Award-winning communities have an implementation rate of more than 75% within the scope of implementation. Wildpoldsried won the award in 2014 with a high implementation rate of 86.5%.

Wildpoldsried Deputy Mayor Günter Mögele will visit Taiwan, China for one week from 4/13 to 19. The related public itinerary is as follows:

• 4/15 (Sat) 1400-1630 [Symposium on Autonomous Development of Rural Green Energy] - Exchange between German energy villages and the Meinong experience https://www.facebook.com/mpa1994/photos/a.425004780855450.96237.395469210475674/1368998723122713/?type=3&theater
• 4/16 (Sun) 0930-1200 [From Consumers to Producers - The Win-Win for Economy and Environment in German Energy Villages] (fully booked) https://www.facebook.com/events/1748530862104080/
• 4/16 (Sun) 1400-1630 Agenda2025: New Urban Power for Green Energy - Symposium on Community Green Energy Building and Urban Governance https://www.facebook.com/biling.kuan/photos/a.120333068029224.19001.112542652141599/1443540319041819/?type=3&theater

Originally published in Green Advocates Monthly, April 2017, issue 162.