The journey towards clean energy in Europe has made major strides, but it is not always a smooth journey. Public resistance to renewable energy projects and related infrastructure risks slowing down the transition, at a time when both speed and scale are crucial for effective climate action. At ReNew2030, we believe the key to overcoming these challenges lies in effectively engaging and supporting communities throughout the transition process. The 2023 Barometer reveals that 93% of EU citizens recognise climate change as a serious problem. Yet, few have the opportunity to translate this concern into concrete action. This is where community-based energy projects come in.
As we’ve actively engaged with and fostered the development of community-based energy initiatives for years, we’ve met the citizens behind these projects. On top of empowering people to take climate action, saving money, and building communal ties, energy communities have been described by our partners as one of the best ways to gather support for the energy transition, by making these benefits tangible in people’s day-to-day lives.
Energy communities are citizen-powered renewable energy initiatives where locals collectively own and manage their own clean power projects – like neighbourhood solar panels or community wind turbines – allowing them to be both producers and consumers of their energy while building a more sustainable, democratic energy future.
Energy communities have been gaining traction across Europe for decades, driven by proactive individuals and groups seeking to take control of their energy production and use. These projects enable citizens, small businesses, and local organisations to actively participate in the energy transition, offering a range of benefits such as lower energy bills, increased independence, and local development opportunities.
The emergence of these communities typically follows a bottom-up approach, where a group of motivated individuals comes together to garner support for creating a structured energy system tailored to their specific needs and aspirations. Research indicates that over 900,000 people across the EU are already involved in energy communities, with tremendous potential for further growth.
The European Climate Foundation (ECF), one of ReNew2030’s long-standing partners, recognised the potential of community-based energy projects in helping advance the energy transition as early as 2015. ECF’s vision is rooted in the belief that the energy transition should be fair and inclusive, actively involving communities in the process. Nearly a decade later, ECF’s Energy Democracy network gathers more than 25 partners, bringing together NGOs and energy cooperatives, across 14 European countries.
Partners across Europe have shared that positive support for the emergence of additional energy communities across Europe comes through early consultations with the community, an encouraging legal framework at national and European level, and the sharing of local best practices.
The socio-economic benefits of energy communities are a prime focus – from lowering energy bills to fostering local development. By creating these benefits, energy communities turn their participants in allies of the energy transition as a whole, fostering wider public support for the energy transition. As energy communities are platforms for raising knowledge about renewable energy among participants, they also empower these individuals to become advocates for sustainable change.
The current Danish landscape offers a telling example – in this country, 52% of the existing wind capacity operates under some form of citizen ownership. This model has not only empowered individuals but has also significantly bolstered public support for renewable energy. When people participate in or own energy projects, they are more likely to appreciate the benefits and accept potential drawbacks. Ownership, in particular, further strengthens acceptance and enthusiasm.
To meet our climate goals and stay within planetary boundaries, the share of renewable energy in the global power mix will have to increase from 28% in 2020 to 68% by 2030. To deploy this massive increase in renewable energy production, we need to secure citizens’ buy-in and support behind the changes that will drive a clean, safe energy system. Community energy projects, for all the benefits they provide to participants, can play a key role in this system-change.
