Statistical evidence for the contribution of citizen-led initiatives and projects to the energy transition in Europe

Abstract

Statistical accounting of the impacts of citizen-led energy initiatives is absent, despite their impact on increased energy self-sufficiency and ramping up of renewable energies, local sustainable development, greater citizen engagement, diversification of activities, social innovation, and acceptance of transition measures. This paper quantifies the aggregate contributions of collective action in pursuit of the sustainable energy transition in Europe. We estimate the number of initiatives (10,540), projects (22,830), people involved (2,010,600), installed renewable capacities (7.2–9.9 GW), and investments made (6.2–11.3 billion EUR) for 30 European countries. Our aggregate estimates do not suggest that collective action will replace commercial enterprises and governmental action in the short or medium term without fundamental alterations to policy and market structures. However, we find strong evidence for the historical, emerging, and actual importance of citizen-led collective action to the European energy transition. Collective action in the energy transition is experimenting successfully with new business models in the energy sector. Continued decentralization of energy systems and more stringent decarbonization policies will increase the importance of these actors in the future.

Report on the E-TEMS 2023 Doctoral Workshop

“…At the same time central Europe is experiencing a stagnation in the extension renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power despite ambitious governmental goalsetting for the coming decades. Citizen-led initiatives, in form of energy communities or cooperatives have shown that cooperative and democratic ownership can be a successful approach in driving the European energy transition [9].…”

“…Energy communities have over the last decades played a significant role in the European energy transition efforts accounting for over 16,000 units and 10,000 initiatives engaging in renewable energy production [9]. Yet, it is unclear what future role energy communities can play in accommodating the necessary system integration of renewable energy production.…”

Interacting locally, acting globally: trust and proximity in social networks for the development of energy communities

“…Cooperation among active citizens is crucial for the development of effective energy policies 1 , 2 . As stated by EU directives (i.e., the 2019 Clean Energy Package), energy communities and joint self-consumption programs can increase the number of citizens favoring sustainability on individual and collective, as well as economic, environmental, and societal levels 3 .…”