Catalysing Inclusive, Representative, Equitable Energy reNovation wavE (IRENE)​

Energy poverty is a pressing issue in the European Union, affecting millions and leading to adverse impacts on public health, socialinclusion, and quality of life. IRENE (Catalysing an Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Energy Renovation Wave) aims to address this challenge by promoting comprehensive and integral energy efficiency renovations in multi-apartment buildings, with a focus on combating energy poverty and preventing gentrification. By collaborating with four key cities—Vilvoorde and Leuven (Belgium), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Madrid (Spain)—IRENE aims to implement effective and inclusive strategies tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable populations.

The project centers on establishing and enhancing One-Stop Shops (OSS), which serve as centralized hubs providing technical, financial, and legal support for energy renovations. These OSS will guide residents through every stage of the process, ensuring that
even those with limited resources can access energy-efficient improvements. Our approach begins with a thorough diagnosis in each
city, forming multi-stakeholder groups including local authorities, community representatives, and technical experts. These groups
will contribute to the creation of Energy Justice Hubs—designed to foster dialogue, develop solutions, and ensure the long-term
sustainability of the project's impacts.

IRENE will include an inclusive and participatory process, providing tailored training programs to empower residents and stakeholders with the knowledge needed to actively engage in the energy transition. We aim to break down regulatory and financial
barriers by working closely with policymakers to advocate for reforms and by exploring innovative financing mechanisms to make
renovations accessible and meaningful. By applying these interventions across diverse urban contexts, IRENE seeks to develop scalable models for inclusive energy renovations reducing energy consumption and costs and improving living conditions.

With its completion Irene´s main expected impacts can be a total of 227 buildings renovated; 500 trained residents in energy efficiency; 7440 vulnerable households with reduced energy costs;  17,358 energy poor consumers benefiting from the measures; and 111 coordination structures / capacity building programs established; 68.662 tCO2e/year greenhouse gas emissions reduced; 72 GWh/year primary energy savings 3 GWh/year of renewable energy generation triggered. These improvements will be facilitated by 293M euro for investments in sustainable energy favoured by the Project.

The main KPIs per pilot study are:

Vilvoorde expected impacts will be: 
•    274 households with reduced energy costs and 4,734 t C02 emissions reduced.
•    24 multi apartments buildings renovated
•    1,078 energy poor and/or vulnerable consumers benefited.
•    13,7 million EUR in investment in sustainable energy measures triggered by the project

Vilnius expected impacts will be: 
•    6000 households with reduced energy costs and 12,600 t C02 emissions reduced.
•    150 multi apartments buildings renovated
•    13800 energy poor and/or vulnerable consumers benefited.
•    240 million EUR in investment in sustainable energy measures triggered by the project

Madrid expected impacts will be: 
•    650 households with reduced energy costs and 54,554 t C02 emissions reduced.
•    26 multi apartments buildings renovated

• 1430 energy poor and/or vulnerable consumers benefited.
• 28 million EUR in investment in sustainable energy measures triggered by the project.

Leuven expected impacts will be:

• 350 households with reduced energy costs and 210,500 t C02 emissions reduced.
• 27 multi apartments buildings renovated
• 1,050 energy poor and/or vulnerable consumers benefited.
• 10,9 million EUR in investment in sustainable energy measures triggered by the project.

The partners of the project are:

1. Global Factor International Consulting Sl
2. Technische Universiteit Delft
3. Stad Vilvoorde
4. Stad Leuven
5. Asociacion Nacional De Empresas De Servicios Ene
6. Ayuntamiento De Madrid
7. Viesoji Istaiga 'Atnaujinkime Miesta'
8. Vartotoju Aljansas Lithuanian Consumers Allianlt
9. Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior De Investigacio.

This page was last updated on 11 September 20205. For the most updated information about the project, please visit the project page at the EC funding and portal website.