Experiences from regions in transition: the Thouarsais Community of Municipalities

mayo 2021

Territoires à Energie Positive (TEPOS)

Para descargar: porter-un-projet-de-territoire-en-transition-2021_fr.pdf (4,3 MiB)

A momentum set in motion by pragmatic, long-term actions

The Thouars region is one of the most dynamic areas in France when it comes to the energy transition. This is reflected in concrete terms by visible renewable energy projects across the region—notably in the TIPER energy business park—as well as by structured outreach initiatives for all audiences (such as the regional energy renovation platform), and, on a methodological level, by the local government’s commitment to a wide range of programs and tools.

The Thouarsais region’s first energy project—a solar-heated swimming pool—was completed in the 1980s. It stemmed from an innovative yet pragmatic decision: the investment received strong support and was aimed at reducing operating costs. In the same vein, a shared energy technician position (shared energy consulting) was established in 2001 by the Pays Thouarsais. This position supported the development of community wood-fired heating systems and helped manage energy consumption in public buildings. However, the virtuous cycle of “territorial intelligence”—for which the Thouarsais region serves as a national model—did not truly begin until a little later. The Local Climate Initiatives Agreement signed in 2007 with ADEME and the Poitou-Charentes Region made it possible to develop the climate plan sought by elected officials, including the creation of a dedicated project manager position. The initiative was then driven by two major objectives: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a factor of four by 2050 and to become an energy-positive region.

The Energy Transition at the Heart of the Regional Plan and Local Policies

Over the course of several years, the Thouarsais region has succeeded in fostering a culture of local energy transition. Following the territorial reorganization in 2014, the boundaries of the Thouarsais Community of Municipalities were adjusted to largely match those of the former “Pays” region, which had been dissolved. The momentum for the energy transition has been consolidated around the intermunicipal community’s own expertise and resources. The Thouarsais unanimously approved a collaborative regional development plan for the period 2016–2025, one of whose four key objectives is to “be the leading region in energy transition.” Since many of the concrete actions outlined in this strategic document have now been implemented, it will soon be updated to incorporate the projects promoted by the newly elected officials. The updated regional development plan will also serve as the basis for contractual agreements between the region and its partners, starting with the national government for the economic recovery and ecological transition contract to be signed by June 2021.

To ensure that all actions are coordinated and that the strategy remains clear to stakeholders, the various initiatives are grouped under the umbrella of the climate plan, which embodies the TEPOS ambition. The TEPOS program, led by the Region and ADEME, has thus far provided technical and financial support. The TEPCV agreement has facilitated the co-financing of projects.

The Cit’ergie initiative has helped structure internal efforts within the context of the local government consortium. Urban planning documents (SCoT and PLUi), waste management plans, and agricultural policies specifically incorporate energy transition objectives.

Given its methodological progress and the lack of dedicated funding for this contractual framework, the Thouarsais region chose not to apply for an ecological transition contract.

These various initiatives include major projects such as TIPER and numerous outreach activities (shared energy counseling, energy counseling for individuals, farmers, and businesses, a regional energy renovation platform, mobility counseling, etc.). They are coordinated in terms of governance and management. Governance is handled by a single, regularly convening steering committee, which brings together about ten people at each session: elected officials, local government staff, and technical and financial partners. During the operational phase, projects are managed by technical committees that remain cross-functional but are leaner and more agile. Several outgoing elected officials, including President Bernard Paineau, were re-elected following the most recent elections. As Paineau is now also the mayor of Thouars, he has spearheaded the pooling of services between the community of municipalities and the region’s central city. New services have emerged, such as the one coordinating consultation efforts with municipalities and residents, and cross-functional collaboration is further strengthening, particularly within the city.

Substantial Human Resources

The number of projects carried out by the Thouarsais region and their strong alignment with the overall strategy can be attributed first and foremost to the size of its energy team. It is thanks to the engineering expertise in place that the local authority has been able to respond to numerous calls for proposals and mobilize significant external resources, and then further strengthen its engineering capabilities to scale up its initiatives. The team has grown over the years to reach new audiences: citizens, renewable energy developers, farmers, businesses, and construction tradespeople. It now consists of 6.5 full-time equivalents, which is exceptional for a semi-rural area.

Public grants have been essential in enabling the Thouarsais region to support the initial stages of projects for more than ten years. ADEME and the Region, in particular, have provided significant financial support for internal engineering efforts from the very beginning. Le Thouarsais is all the more successful in seizing funding and support opportunities because the local government has established itself and is recognized for its proactive approach. Elected officials are the driving force behind this aspect, which sustains the momentum and helps secure new resources. The accumulation of these initiatives, although it entails management constraints, enables action on all fronts.

At the same time, the Thouarsais region has gradually built its financial autonomy to work toward the energy transition. Thanks to direct taxation on renewable energy, the region already enjoys a certain degree of independence and is confidently preparing for the possibility of reduced subsidies. Elected officials have committed to allocating a portion of the revenue generated by new renewable energy projects to the energy transition and to maintaining the capacity of the sustainable development department. Ensuring the long-term availability of human resources is essential not only for addressing all the challenges associated with the transition but also for strengthening the momentum of local value creation.

Highlights of the Experience

• Strong political leadership with a president who “goes the extra mile.”

• A large-scale industrial project on renewable energy (TIPER), led by the economic development department, which lent political credibility to the energy transition initiative from its inception.

• A strong energy team to lead the initiative with all stakeholders, across all topics, both internally and externally.

• A political compromise on allocating energy revenues back to energy : taxes on major renewable energy projects fund the long-term implementation of the energy transition

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