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  2. Pilot Arnhem

Pilot Arnhem


Early 2021, the Arnhem City Council approved an ambitious action plan to help an initial group of 2,500 households reduce their energy bills, within SCEPA. These households were selected from a larger group of at least 8,500 identified as experiencing energy poverty. The initiative builds on valuable experiences gained from the Interreg NWE VB project CAN and pilot conducted in 2019-2020.

The pilots' core: energy coaching

The primary focus of Arnhem's pilot is deploying energy coaches to gain access to homes of vulnerable households. These coaches provide personalized assistance directly where it matters most: inside the homes of those experiencing energy poverty. By gaining "behind the door" access, coaches can offer tailored advice based on each household's specific situation, habits and energy usage patterns.

Collaborative approach

The implementation is well underway with the municipality working closely alongside various professional partners and active neighborhood initiatives. Arnhem has established a network organization bringing together key stakeholders including:

  • Social housing corporations
  • The energy cooperative
  • The Energy Bank
  • Social welfare teams in neighborhoods
  • Neighborhood initiatives
Provide personalized assistance directly where it matters most: inside the homes of those experiencing energy poverty.

Result in 2024: 84 households

The pilot in Arnhem has shown promising results in its initial phase. From October 2024 through January 2025, the project registered 84 household enrollments. Of these households, 70 (84%) are currently receiving coaching, 8 (10%) have completed the coaching process, and 2 (2%) discontinued participation. 


Get in touch & share knowledge

While bringing significant expertise to SCEPA, Arnhem also seeks to gain valuable practices from partners to further strengthen its approach to reducing energy poverty through innovation, collaboration, and community-centered solutions. Are you interested in learning more about this pilot project or sharing your own insights? Please contact us. Your experience and knowledge could contribute to developing even more effective strategies to combat energy poverty in our communities

Hans van Ammers

Hans is a strategic policy advisor on energy transition and climate adaptation for the City of Arnhem. He plays a crucial role in SCEPA by bringing partners together to reduce energy poverty and social challenges. Get in touch

Maarten van 't Hoog

Maarten is responsible for implementing SCEPA's pilot in Arnhem. As the lead coordinator, he oversees all aspects of energy poverty initiatives in the city, ensuring projects deliver meaningful impact to vulnerable households. Get in touch

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