REA North is developing VIREAS (Virtual Energy Assistant for Citizens) — an AI-powered information and knowledge point designed to help citizens find clear, tailored answers to everyday questions related to the Green and Just Transition, such as energy renovation measures and renewable energy installations. Originally created primarily for the Koprivnica–Križevci County, the tool has been increasingly promoted at national level through news and expert channels, resulting in growing reach and engagement.
VIREAS is designed as a first point of contact for citizens: a practical, always-available assistant that can reduce confusion around complex topics and guide users toward informed decisions. It supports not only homeowners and citizens, but also professionals and technical designers, as well as local and regional public authorities and energy agencies.
A key strength of the pilot is how VIREAS can be complemented by local digital resources. For example, a Solar Potential Map (developed within BauNOW for the Municipality of Legrad) can work alongside the assistant to respond to location-specific requests. The solution is able to automatically generate a solar power plant project fiche for a selected building — a technical document intended for electrical engineers.
The pilot has already demonstrated strong uptake: users have accessed VIREAS from 11 out of 20 Croatian counties, generating 1,103 user chats/questions, with the majority coming from northern Croatian counties (including Koprivnica–Križevci, Međimurje and Osijek-Baranja).
Next steps focus on scaling and customisation. REA North has received expressions of interest from nearby municipalities and cities that would like to adapt VIREAS to their local context — especially by integrating local public call rules, grant scheme conditions, and relevant energy efficiency regulations and ordinances. One of the key motivations for local authorities is to reduce the burden on staff by redirecting frequently asked questions into an easily accessible digital tool. Procurement documentation for the upgrade is currently being finalised.
As REA North highlights, VIREAS is not a replacement for professional consultants — it is a practical entry point that helps citizens understand options, prepare for next steps, and access reliable information more efficiently.
