Beli Breg: village energy cooperative near Vranje

Thirteen households pool solar savings in southern Serbia

In Beli Breg Popovci, a hillside hamlet near Vranje in south-eastern Serbia, thirteen households formed Energetska zadruga Beli Breg Popovci, one of the country's newest citizen energy cooperatives. Members voted at a founding assembly in June 2026 to keep savings, income, and future investments in the village rather than exporting them to distant utilities.

What you can do

• Nearby residents: contact the cooperative to learn how membership works and when rooftop solar planning begins
• Other villages: use Beli Breg as a template for a multi-household cooperative under Serbia's new energy-community rules
• Schools and municipalities: pair cooperative planning with the national energy communities portal for legal steps and peer examples

How it works

The cooperative plans its first shared solar arrays, roughly ten kilowatts of panels across one or more rooftops, with members deciding jointly how to reinvest revenue. Four development tracks were set at launch: shared solar and lower bills, joint farm equipment, rural tourism, and e-mobility links to the city.

Why it matters

Community-owned renewables keep money circulating locally. As Serbia opens energy-community legislation, Beli Breg shows how a handful of neighbours can start building energy independence today.

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it.

Source: Klima 101 · Article: Thirteen households near Vranje form an energy cooperative.