The socioeconomic impacts of local energy programmes: a case study of Avrig, Romania

2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the expected economic and social effects of the “Local Energy Plan” – a programme of the local administration that aims to transform the Romanian town Avrig until 2020 into an energy independent town relying exclusively on renewable energy resources. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a mixed-method approach to investigate the effects of a small town's transition to renewable energy. This approach consists of a series of in-depth interviews with the local authorities, investors, other representatives of the business sector and citizens of Avrig and economic modelling to determine the direct effects generated by the implementat…