Table 1 Types and examples of citizen-led energy initiatives found across Europe, showcasing the variety of relevant (legal) forms and energy-related activities.
Citizen-led energy initiative | Criteria compliance level: y—yes, p-partly/limited, n–no | Example of an initiative | Example(s) of projects from that initiative |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy cooperatives | (y) Citizen-leadership | Energiegenossenschaft Starkenburg eG is a 1000-member cooperative, founded by 13 citizens in the city of Heppenheim in 2010 | Owning and operating 7 wind and 31 solar photovoltaic projects, also provides consulting and information services |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Renewable energy communities | (p) Citizen-leadership, but often initiated by municipalities | Comunità energetica di Borutta is an Italian renewable energy community (CER) without a separate legal form, operating in the town of Borutta since 2020 | Installation and operation of a 850 kW wind turbine and photovoltaic roof-top systems on town hall, sport centers, and schools. Striving for free-of-charge, self-produced electricity. Another motivation is halting rural depopulation |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Energy communities | (p) Citizen-leadership, but often initiated by municipalities, local authorities and sometimes seen as an opportunity for companies | Minoan Energy in Crete was established in 2019 in Greece and is registered under the legal form of a cooperative. It has 313 members (incl. three Municipalities and the Region of Crete) | Operates a 405 kW solar photovoltaic system, members can purchase shares to meet their households' energy demand. Offers non-profit advice to citizens and public authorities for energy saving measures and energy efficiency upgrade of buildings. Decided recently to financially support families affected by the pandemic and the earthquakes |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Sustainable energy communities | (p) Citizen-leadership encouraged through general principles | Camross Parish Development Association located in Laois, Ireland, is not a legal form itself, but registered in the SEAI network | Drafted a community-led plan to develop Camross as a "smart village" and to reduce GHG emissions. Promotes behavioral change, energy-independence, and climate action |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Housing cooperatives and associations | (y) Citizen-leadership | A multi-apartment residential building in Alytus, Lithuania, was registered in 2008 as a housing association | Installed a 14 kW geothermal heating system for the building. Other projects include renovation and improvement of energy efficiency |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(p) Also active in energy (e.g., energy-efficiency measures, RE-based self-production of electricity) but housing is the primary focus | |||
Sustainable mobility cooperatives | (y) Citizen-leadership | Ecotxe is a consumer cooperative on the island of Palma, Spain, that practices co-ownership and sharing of electric vehicles among local citizens | This cooperative counts 240 members and 275 users for its fleet of 5 electric cars. Works in partnership with the local government to provide a service that is complementary to public transport |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy through facilitating sustainable mobility (e.g., electric vehicle rental, carsharing, rail transport sector) | |||
Energy clusters | (p) Limited citizen-leadership, often initiated by municipalities, local authorities, and companies | Zgorzelecki Klaster Rozwoju Odnawialnych Źródeł Energii has 100 members and was selected in 2019 in a national call to become one of the Polish energy clusters (not a legal form) | Installed photovoltaic farms with a combined capacity of 46 MW. Has comprehensive energy plans for the region (incl. mobility sector). Strives for connecting renewable production and regional development |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Historic rural electrification cooperatives | (y) Citizen-leadership | Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif Agricole de la Région de Pithiviers was founded in 1919 as a rural electrification cooperative, counting over 1300 members today | Now also a local distribution company for both electricity and gas, serving over 26,000 customers. Began recently developing wind parks, opening the capital to local citizens and their initiatives |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(y) Active in energy | |||
Eco-villages | (y) Citizen-leadership | Tuggelite eco-village community is registered as a tenant owner’s association (Bostadsrättsförening) in Sweden. Starting with 16 households in 1984, it now has 50 households participating | Combines energy and resource conservation measures for electricity, heating, and water needs. Operates a central district heating system for wood pellets and 120 m2 of solar panels |
(y) Social and/or environmental benefit | |||
(p) Also active in energy but have a general sustainable development perspective | |||
Compared to companies and public sector | |||
Type | Criteria compliance level: y—yes, p-partly/limited, n–no | Type | Criteria compliance level: y—yes, p-partly/limited, n–no |
For-profit companies | (n) Shareholder-leadership | Public sector power companies | (p) Elected official and public functionary leadership |
(n) Economic success is priority | (p) Both—typically shared economic and social benefit | ||
(y) Active in energy | (y) Active in energy | ||
