About this report
Energy Communities (ECs) is a term prevalent across Europe and refers to publicly owned energy projects – an instrumental tool for engaging citizens directly in renewable projects, increasing acceptance of new energy projects, and promoting energy justice.
While citizen-owned energy models have been steadily growing over the past two decades under various names within the EU and in states around the globe, the EU officially introduced the concept of Energy Communities with the adoption of the Clean Energy for all Europeans Package (CEP) in 2019.
This report provides an overview of the different types of Energy Communities, the climate, economic, and social benefits of ECs, the policy landscape for ECs in the EU, case studies from communities across Member States, lessons learned, and the potential for Energy Communities outside the EU.