Online Policy Workshop of the Energy Communities Repository

Exploring the main barriers and action drivers for the uptake of energy communities: Focus on renewable energy production, energy sharing & supply

Most European Union Member States have transposed provisions on renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities of the Clean Energy Package. One of the Energy Communities Repository's tasks is to track and compile national legislation, policies and measures across the EU on energy communities. By reviewing different national frameworks and obtaining insights from national experts and energy communities, the Repository has identified a number of barriers and action drivers for the development of renewable energy production, sharing and supply by energy communities. The Commission has directed the Repository to draft a report on these barriers and action drivers.

There is significant potential for citizen and community-owned renewable energy. With the ongoing energy crisis, more local actors are interested in joining energy communities. Existing energy communities have demonstrated the relevance of their model for a fossil-free European energy system. However, their development may be fostered or hampered by national regulatory and policy frameworks. In particular, much of Member States' transposition has thus far focused mainly on the definitions without developing a comprehensive enabling framework. As such, some rules may restrict the ability of energy communities to engage in other activities or scale up. In addition, National Energy Regulators or other National Authorities are still to develop implementing details of addressing barriers for energy communities and regulations on specific activities.

This online workshop aims to:

1. Bring energy communities, regulators and other energy actors together to share insights and perspectives and to start a dialogue on how to integrate energy communities into the internal energy market
2. Test the Repository's findings against the views of stakeholders and market participants to explore justifications and proportionality of barriers
3. Explore how energy communities can play a more significant role in the markets and energy transition and what action drivers can be replicated.

The workshop will be a platform to discuss some questions about the justifications for and proportionality of barriers and action drivers for the development of energy Communities.

Upon invitation only – Event held under Chatham House Rules.

Contact:infoec-repository [dot] eu (info[at]ec-repository[dot]eu)