ManagEnergy Master Class #8: How Energy Communities Are Transforming Local Energy Systems

"Energy communities are fundamentally about people," reminded ManagEnergy Trainer Christiane Egger (OÖ Energiesparverband, Austria) as she welcomed participants to Brussels for the 8th ManagEnergy Master Class.

Held in March and April 2025, this Master Class was the second edition on the Energy Communities Module. The training emphasised the growing need for strong local actors to support and scale up citizen-led energy initiatives across Europe.

24 colleagues from regional and local energy agencies and public authorities, representing 13 different countries, gathered to dive deeper into the technical, regulatory, and social dimensions of energy communities — and to share their passion for putting citizens at the heart of the energy transition.

Local Actors, Complex Challenges

Energy communities come in many shapes and sizes. They can generate, consume, store, and share energy collectively — and they empower citizens to take ownership of their local energy systems. But turning this vision into reality isn’t simple.

From defining legal structures to engaging stakeholders, identifying financing models, and ensuring long-term sustainability, setting up an energy community involves a complex mix of technical and human factors.

Over the course of the Master Class, trainers Christiane Egger and Francisco Puente (Escan Energy Consulting, Spain) guided participants through this complexity with practical tools and real-world examples. Sessions covered key issues such as:

• The evolving EU regulatory framework for energy communities
• The role of Distribution System Operators (DSOs)
• Facilitation and support services
• Financing community-led energy projects
• The energy agencies’ role as project initiators and enablers

Speakers from the European Commission (Achille Hannoset), CINEA (Silvia Vivarelli), the Austrian Energy Regulator (Michael Sorger), and several inspiring energy community initiatives — including the EU Energy Community Facility, Stern-EEG, ENERCOOP, ECOEMPOWER, SCCALE 2023050 ENCOMHUB and POWER-E-COM — enriched the programme with hands-on examples and policy insights.

From Inspiration to Action

A defining feature of the ManagEnergy Master Classes is their hands-on, collaborative approach. Each participant brought their own energy community project to the table, receiving tailored feedback and learning from peers with similar ambitions and challenges.

The diverse profiles and national contexts of the group added depth to every discussion. As Pablo Quero, Project Manager at the Energy Management Agency of the Province of Cadiz, shared: “It was a great opportunity to learn new ideas, discover inspiring projects, and share experiences with colleagues from other regions of Europe. For sure it will help us continue driving forward shared green energy projects in our province.”

Throughout the sessions, it became clear that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to energy communities. “Energy communities are like a bouquet of flowers – there are many ways to do it,” reflected Achille Hannoset from DG ENER – European Commission, during his presentation.

The Role of Energy Agencies

At the heart of the training was the belief that energy agencies are essential to making energy communities a success.

“Energy Agencies are here to understand complex instruments and translate them into reality,” said Christiane Egger. “Energy communities are a great opportunity for energy agencies to make a different kind of contribution to the energy transition. That’s why we have this Master Class – and that’s why we have ManagEnergy: to help us do our jobs better.”

As with previous editions, the Master Class created a vibrant space for exchange, capacity building, and motivation. Participants left with not only greater technical understanding, but also stronger connections and renewed purpose.

What’s Next?

As Europe pushes forward with its climate and energy goals, energy communities are moving from the margins to the mainstream. For local and regional energy agencies, the challenge is clear: support these communities, remove the barriers, and ensure that citizens remain at the centre of the energy system.

With ManagEnergy’s support, they are more equipped than ever to meet that challenge head-on.