History    

JOULE-THERMIE Programme launched in 1995 in addition to dissemination actions in 1997 created the FEMOPET Network-Fellow Members to the exist OPET Network (Organizations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies) – in candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The FEMOPET Network aims to contribute to the opening of CEEC markets to wider European cooperation in energy RTD and to foster market penetration of successful new and innovative energy technologies, in particular those supported through the JOULE-THERMIE programme. The FEMOPET network was established at the end of 1997, and comprises 13 organizations established in all accession countries of CEEC.

The objectives of the FEMOPET Network was seven-fold:

• To assess the real needs of market actors in order to encourage them to utilize clean and efficient energy technologies in their day-to-day operations, businesses and environment;
• To develop and implement a focused and targeted set of tasks which respond to the real needs identified, in the most cost-effective manner possible;
• To achieve concrete results, to understand the impact of the tasks and to “measure” the successes of the activities;
• To publicize and promote the achievements of these tasks to a wider audience in order to replicate the successes in as extensive and rapid a manner as possible;
• To ensure that the information and experience produced through the Network’s activities and in JOULE-THERMIE is disseminated throughout the Network as a whole, and to other programmes and initiatives at the level of the EU, the Member States and internationally;
• To integrate and co-ordinate with the European and national/regional energy RTD infrastructure, including other European networks (supported under SAVE, INNOVATION, ALTENER, SYNERGY, etc.).

At 1998 Lithuanian Energy Institute together with State Company “Energy Agency” and Baltic Renewable Energy Center (Poland) founded two joint organizations:

1. FEMOPET-LEI LITHUANIA and
2. FEMOPET EC BREC-LEI.

The aim of FEMOPET-LEI LITHUANIA was active spreading and promoting development of the market of new, modern, efficiently using energy technologies in Lithuania. In 1998-1999 program the main focus related to rational use of energy (RUE) in buildings, industry and heat generation and supply systems.

The main aim of FEMOPET EC BREC-LEI in 1998-1998 program was promotion of new modern renewables technologies in Lithuania.

The main services for interested organizations and persons by FEMOPET-LEI LITHUANIA and FWMOPET EC BREC-LEI in period 1998-1999 included:

General Support Service

• providing a first instance answers to requests related to the promotion and market penetration of new and innovative energy technologies;
• disseminating information and promoting results from EU programmes;
• providing “in house” training for the preparation of business and management plans;
• providing a “help desk” for general enquiries about energy efficiency technologies, the energy RTD programmes of the EU, etc.

Services in support of Organisations with Specific Project Opportunities

• partner searching and identifying suppliers of technology;
• providing assistance for pre-feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses and technology assessments;
• supporting the preparation of project proposals to local, national and international financing institutions.

Regional and Networking Actions

• creating regional technology plans in collaboration with chambers of commerce, development agencies, local authorities, manufacturers, etc;
• providing assistance to manufacturers and organizations in the creation of trade associations;
• developing information exchange networks for agencies, authorities and businesses from the region with counterparts in the EU countries (including with the OPET Network, AFB-NETT, FEDARENE, etc.);
• organising business missions and study tours for EU companies to the region.

Since 2000 the OPET network operates under the 5^th EU Framework Programme for Research and Development as part of the “Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme”. OPET currently includes over 100 partner organisations in 44 countries within the European Union, the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus, as well as Norway, Iceland and Israel. OPET Associates have also been established in key world regions such as Latin America, China, India and the former CIS to identify local needs to help to promote the relevant European energy technologies in these markets.

OPET activities support European policy in terms of improving energy efficiency, of increasing the diversity of supply and broadening the use of renewable energy sources.

According to reorganization of OPET network since 01 May of 2000 existed units ‘FEMOPET LEI LIETUVA” and “FEMOPET EC BREC-LEI” were connected in one unit with the title “OPET LITHUANIA”.

OPERT LITHUANIA develops his work in collaboration with local stakeholders and with the European Commission for improving energy efficiency, diversification of supply and wider use of renewable energy sources in Lithuania.

The range of activities carried out by OPET LITHUANIA includes:

• Evaluating technologies and markets;
• Networking with industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and local networks;
• Organizing events (technology transfer days, site visits, training, seminars, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, etc.);
• Producing publications (newsletters, reports, brochures, CD-ROMs, etc.).

The approach aims to create a transnational network for the promotion of new energy technologies. This is fully in line with European policies on competitiveness.