Public Organisations Transform Energy Transition
POTEnT innovatively addresses a key challenge for European cities and regions: how to achieve more carbon reduction by harnessing the potential of direct and local action by citizens and communities.The need is both great and urgent. The EU is committed by international treaty to achieve ambitious carbon reduction targets.  

Regional and local authorities can provide a positive alternative to the market-based provision of energy services. The POTENTIAL lies in their local connections, opportunities and accountability
However, they face many challenges in becoming actors in the energy market. First, they need to develop legal mechanisms, attract investment, acquire skills, engage communities. Second, many market-regulations are made at Member State level, so tailor-made solutions are required. 

The project’s objective is to reduce carbon emissions faster than “Business As Usual” through more and better energy services provided by local and regional authorities. 8 partners will:
* analyse partners’ plans through two Thematic Events and eight Mentoring Days,
* identify good practices that will improve these plans, studying them through Study Visits, importing them via special workshops and Regional Action Plans.
* develop/improve public Energy Services Companies (ESCos) and increasing their “market-share”,
* build the capacity of all relevant public authorities including ERDF Managing Authorities,
* increase investments in low carbon projects, and inspire/empower local decision-makers and communities. 

The project’s main outputs will be focused on new energy transition solutions through: 
* New projects to increase investment in low carbon projects, inspire/empower local decision-makers and communities to achieve higher levels of carbon reduction, 
* Improved governance by delivering policies to develop/improve public Energy Services Companies and transform existing mechanisms into "future-fit" organisations that will have a bigger impact on carbon reduction.