Energy as a common good: the Danish model

Denmark is frequently recognised as a pioneer in sustainability. The country is internationally known for its forward-thinking innovative architecture and urban planning, and its widespread cooperative approach to energy production and management. This reputation is reflected in concrete results. Throughout 2025, Danish energy communities shared a total of 200 MWh of renewable electricity among their members, according to the Danish organisation Energifællesskaber. In 2026, nearly 70% of Danish households were connected to district heating networks powered by a mix of biomass, waste-to-energy systems, solar thermal energy, heat pumps, and geothermal sources.

Three energy communities have been particularly influential in advancing this model: Avedøre, Skårup, and Middelgrunden. This year, as part of the Interreg North-West Europe E2-CUTIES project, we had the opportunity to meet representatives from these communities.

What emerged most clearly from these discussions was not the sophistication of the technologies involved, but the remarkable ability of local actors to mobilise people around a shared vision. Many of these initiatives were launched by determined local champions who successfully brought together citizens, municipalities, businesses, and other stakeholders to work towards a common goal.

To inspire other cities and regions, it is worth exploring how these three emblematic energy communities have managed to thrive over the years. Their experiences offer practical insights for municipalities and local stakeholders interested in developing more collective approaches to the production, sharing, and management of renewable energy and heat.

Avedøre: Denmark’s First Energy Community

Avedøre was the first energy community established in Denmark. What makes this initiative particularly inspiring is that it was launched by highly motivated local stakeholders who initially had limited knowledge of renewable energy systems.

Their success was made possible through close collaboration with the municipality and the support of an independent energy community expert. The project demonstrates how strong partnerships and access to trusted guidance can help communities turn ambitious ideas into reality.

Read the full story of Avedøre

Skårup: Local Leadership Driving Change

Skårup is a smaller-scale initiative that demonstrates the power of local leadership in accelerating implementation. The project is based on a simple cooperative model supported by an active local network and strong municipal backing.

One of the key lessons from Skårup is that engaging influential local asset owners, alongside citizens and public authorities, can often have a greater impact than starting with highly advanced technical solutions. The project highlights the importance of building local alliances and creating momentum through community engagement.

Read the full story of Skårup

Middelgrunden: Citizen Ownership at Scale

Middelgrunden illustrates how large-scale renewable energy infrastructure can achieve strong public acceptance through citizen ownership. Today, it is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most iconic examples of community energy.

The project demonstrates that when citizens are directly involved in ownership and decision-making, renewable energy developments can become a source of local pride rather than opposition. Combined with thoughtful design and strong political support, Middelgrunden showcases the potential of participatory approaches to accelerate the energy transition while strengthening community identity.

Read the full story of Middelgrunden

The Danish model shows that successful energy communities do not necessarily depend on cutting-edge technologies or large-scale investments. Instead, they often emerge from strong local leadership, trusted partnerships, and governance models that empower citizens to become active participants in shaping their energy future.

Ultimately, these examples demonstrate that the energy transition is not only a technical challenge but also a social and democratic process. By treating energy as a shared resource and a common good, communities can build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy systems for the future.