German clean energy fund announced as finalist in 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards

A German public-private partnership, which united a local utility company, city authorities and NGOs, has funded almost 40,000 clean energy projects in and around Hanover. This is how the enercity fund proKlima has helped save 2.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, with per capita emissions in the city now 9% lower than the national average.

proKlima was founded in June 1998 bringing together the city of Hanover and its public utility company enercity, the neighbouring cities of Hemmingen, Laatzen, Langenhagen, Ronnenberg and Seelze, as well as consumer protection organisations, the chamber of handicrafts, and an environmental NGO.

Together, they created a fundraising instrument that is independent from municipal budgets. The money – over EUR 117 million in the last 27 years – is taken from gas sales, profit sharing from the energy supplier and concession fees, and is given to local projects addressing climate change and raising awareness for global warming. Every euro in proKlima funding activates at least EUR 13 in further investments.

The fund is thus equipped with constant financing aimed at broad based and individual funding. Once an application is granted, the budget is reserved for the project, implementation is monitored, and after successful completion, the money paid out.

proKlima CEO Matthias Wohlfahrt says the fund has turned the area into a beacon for the energy transition. 

'We have been an early adopter of new technologies and high-level standards,' says Wohlfahrt, highlighting a project funded in Hanover-Kronsberg, one of the first passive house neighbourhoods, which means that multiple homes in this energy community became ultra-low-energy buildings. 

'From then on, further passive house buildings arose in Hanover and worldwide. The region has become a competence area for that technology,' he said.

Last year alone, proKlima supported 132 heat pump solutions, 593 photovoltaic systems, and 168 district heating connections, with more than EUR 2.9 million in funding.

Since proKlima was founded, almost half of the investments have gone to modernising residential buildings, accounting for 76% of CO₂ savings, followed by heating networks, combined heat and power generation and heating optimisation, as well as renewable heat, such as solar thermal energy and heat pumps.

Significantly, the fund supports innovative projects that can serve as role models for other regions, thus promoting the dissemination of new technologies and approaches. 

'Craftsmen and companies trained on our quality measures are also installing high-quality systems outside our funding area. If our concept was adapted and imitated, the impact could be multiplied,' says Wohlfahrt, adding other cities could easily replicate the model: 'The public-private partnership agreement is open source and can be used copy and paste.'

proKlima is also heavily involved in awareness raising and training: 

'In 2024, we engaged more than 15,000 participants with 163 trainings and educational projects,' says the fund’s CEO. 'This year, we will co-organise and subsidise the 17th Conference on Energy Efficiency in Hanover, addressing consultants, planners, architects, and students. Besides, we support lots of projects in schools to raise awareness.'

All these actions help to build awareness of climate protection and renewable energies. 

'The fund aims to establish long-term and sustainable solutions for climate protection. Consumers benefit from affordable housing, which prevents energy poverty. In this way, climate protection, economic and social elements intertwine and ensure greater prosperity and sustainability in the region,' says Wohlfahrt.

EUSEW Awards ​celebrate Europe’s best clean energy projects and leaders 

proKlima is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 in the Local Energy Action category. The award recognises implemented sustainable energy actions, driven by a group of citizens or consumers, which contribute to the clean energy transition at the community or local level. It also inspires and motivates others to implement similar steps for an EU-wide deployment, resulting in economic and environmental benefits. The other finalists in this category are Amiestas in Lithuania and Community Energy for Social Housing in Otterbeek, Belgium. ​ ​

Amiestas is a public non-profit institution operating a one-stop-shop (OSS) for energy-efficient renovations in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Community Energy for Social Housing in Otterbeek provides renewable energy access to vulnerable tenants.

The European Sustainable Energy Awards ​(EUSEW Awards) recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. The nine finalists have been selected by a high-level jury in three categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy. The finalists will be submitted to an online public vote, which is open until 1 June, and the winners will be announced during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony on 10 June 2025. ​ 

EUSEW 2025 

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the​ biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 10-12 June under the theme of ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’. The event will bring together public authorities, industry, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through clean technologies and solutions towards a competitive, fair and just transition both for people and businesses.

Registrations for onsite attendance in Brussels and online participation are  now open.  

For interview requests with the EUSEW Awards finalists or additional media information, please contact ​ mediaeusew [dot] eu