In 2019, the EU set into motion dedicated legislation to expand renewable energy communities (RECs) where they already exist, and enable citizen energy in countries – mostly eastern and southern Europe – where there were none at all. The goals: to increase the use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and also empower citizens – to make them part of the Energiewende. Member states had five years to transpose these directives and all of them did, though to different degrees and with diverse results. Paul Hockenos gives an overview at the occasion of the European Energy Communities Forum currently organised in Kraków, Poland.
All posts tagged: energy communities
For Greece’s clean energy collectives, it’s all about energy democracy
Greece has transposed into law EU directives that stipulate the conditions for forming energy cooperatives and communities, much like those in Germany that kicked off its Energiewende in the 2000s. The first such non-profit solar farms will begin generation in early 2024. The hope is that they’ll set off a prosumer boom across the country. Paul Hockenos reports. Read More
Energy Communities: The hidden gems of the EU energy transition
Energy communities have existed in the European Union (EU) for decades, yet they have been long overlooked as a way to ease the energy transition. Increasingly aware of their potential for socio-cultural and economic change, the EU is exploring these communities as key players in the energy transition. But more effort is needed to elevate them to forming a viable alternative. Teo Bierens and Anastasia Skapoula have the details.