Energy Communities in Action: Lessons from 60+ Local Projects

Energy communities are a powerful driver of Europe’s sustainable transition—generating local renewable energy, improving efficiency, and building resilience from the ground up. A new report from the ENERGIZE project analyses over 60 successful initiatives to identify best practices that combine governance, financing, technology, and—most importantly—community engagement.

📌 Key takeaways from the report include:

• Local solutions that work: Communities such as Thermo Bello (Netherlands) and Repowering London design projects around local needs, linking energy with heating, water management, or job creation.
• Municipal leadership: Local authorities in Austria, Italy, and Spain support energy communities with policies, governance support, and incentives—proving how municipalities can act as enablers.
• Creative financing models: Energy communities in Greece, Italy, and Spain use crowdfunding, cooperative shares, and public funds to finance projects while ensuring economic stability.
• Engaged citizens: Initiatives like Brixton Solar (UK) show the power of cooperative models where local residents are directly involved in decision-making and energy education.
• Innovation and ownership: Islands like Eigg (UK) and Samsø (Denmark) lead the way in energy self-sufficiency through local ownership and a circular approach to energy.

The ENERGIZE report shows that there is no one-size-fits-all model, but successful energy communities share a common ingredient: strong local involvement supported by smart financing and governance.