New in-depth report on enabling frameworks for energy communities

A new report, Enabling Frameworks for Energy Communities: A State of Play, offers a comprehensive roadmap for policy-makers in 11 EU countries eager to make citizen-led energy projects an EU-wide reality. Authored by a coalition of 44 multi-sector organisations, including Energy Cities and RESCoop.eu, it provides an in-depth analysis of the current legislative landscape country-by-country: The report confirms that from Belgium to Bulgaria progress is being overshadowed by persistent barriers in the implementation of energy community provisions.

In the face of rising energy costs and the pressing need for resilient democratic economies, local authorities are increasingly turning to community energy initiatives. The authors, all involved in community energy through EU-funded LIFE ENERCOM projects, identify positive policy developments in each of the focus countries: support schemes, national definitions and efforts to transpose the EU directive, community recognition in heat planning, etc. They also provide answers to questions like: What barriers remain in European countries? What policy change is needed? And what lessons can the EU draw for its upcoming legislative work, including its Citizens Energy Package? 

Key Takeaways for Policy-makers

• Legislative Progress and Gaps: The report examines how national laws have transposed EU directives related to energy communities, highlighting areas where clarity is lacking, particularly concerning the roles and activities permissible for these communities.
• Challenges in Implementation: Local authorities and their civil society partners often face hurdles such as limited access to funding, lengthy permitting processes, and complexities in integrating energy communities into public procurement procedures.
• Risks of Corporate Capture: A concerning trend noted is the potential for large, for-profit entities to dominate the space intended for community-led initiatives, potentially undermining the democratic and local ownership aspects of energy communities.

Better policies empowering local action

For policymakers in the respective countries, this report serves as both a diagnostic tool and a source of inspiration. It underscores the importance of creating supportive environments that enable citizens, SMEs, and local governments to collaborate effectively on renewable energy projects. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the report’s recommendations, they should consider the pivotal role of local authorities and citizen organisations in advancing energy democracy and achieving climate goals.

Next Steps

Political leaders and stakeholders are encouraged to delve into the full report to better understand the current landscape of energy communities and to identify actionable strategies tailored to each country context. Pilot areas in the four LIFE ENERCOM projects that co-authored the report may be inspiring examples to look at when it comes to concrete implementation on the ground.

For anyone ready to move from insight to action, the four LIFE ENERCOM sister projects—LIFE LOOP, COMANAGE, Tandems, and ConnectHeat—offer a wealth of operational resources, hands-on tools, and tested approaches to kickstart or strengthen your energy community journey. Explore their websites to find practical guidance tailored to municipalities determined to lead the energy transition from the ground up.