Matching just transition ambition with competition

The Clean Energy for all Europeans package has provided a long-awaited boost and recognition to the role local authorities and communities play in delivering the energy transition while contributing to local socio-economic benefits.

The recognition of “citizen energy communities” and “renewable energy communities” as per their respective designations in the revised electricity and renewable energy directives provides a strong legal basis to open the energy market to a more diverse set of players, also more likely to put Europe on a sustainable recovery path, leaving no one behind. Aligning this new legal framework with supporting competition rules is of crucial importance to ensure progress in energy and climate policies is not undone by outdated competition legislation.

1. Competitive bidding processes are not a one-size-fits-all solution
2. Rewarding the contribution to local socio-economic development
3. Smaller installations need to be able to combine various support mechanisms
4. Finding the right balance to support energy performance
5. State aid should support long-term, integrated vision for decarbonisation