An innovative experience in the Italian panorama, based on the production of clean energy and on a popular action supply chain. We are talking about Retenergie, a cooperative born in Cuneo in 2008 and which today has almost 400 members. The project takes off following the appeal launched by Marco Mariano, owner of a farm, to involve new subjects in the construction of a publicly owned photovoltaic plant.
The initiative was immediately a huge success, reaching in just three years a share capital of 450 thousand euros and five plants connected to the Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Lombardy grid for a total of approximately 100 kW of installed power. Furthermore, in six months, 170 kWh of mini-hydroelectric will be added.
To become part of Retenergie, subscriptions can be made directly on the site, thus becoming part of the shareholding structure thanks to a minimum quota of 550 euros which remains untouchable for at least ten years. In this way, those who do not have the opportunity to build a plant independently can become co-owners of those of the cooperative and thus access the profits at the end of the year.
“Our goal – explains Marco Mariano – is to be able to produce, by the end of 2012, at least 550 kWh. And to make the investment in the cooperative more attractive on an economic level, there is also that of being able to become, within four years, also suppliers of the energy we produce. And, to be able to close the clean energy circuit, we need to find at least 6 potential customers and build an adequate number of electric and photovoltaic plants".
