Insights and key challenges in establishing Energy Communities

About

Energy communities (ECs) are gaining momentum as individuals, communities and local authorities increasingly take an active part set up in developing, owning, and managing renewable energy projects. Through the JASPERS mandate, EIB Advisory aims to support the creation of an enabling framework and to identify and develop practical solutions for REC projects.

A key challenge for ECs lies in the complexity of their establishment and in the preparation of projects to effectively access EU funding. To address these challenges, JASPERS is organisied this webinar to promote a more systematic approach to EC project preparation and to encourage the development of additional initiatives.

The webinar built on experiences from selected EU Member States, as well as on the challenges identified by stakeholders involved in setting up ECs.

 

Target audience

The webinar targeted managing authorities, State aid authorities, line ministries, regional and local authorities, as well as project beneficiaries planning to undertake EU-funded projects under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and beyond.

It primarily addressed regions, municipalities, and relevant associations, as well as interested participants from pre-accession and EU neighbourhood countries.

Objectives

The webinar focused on:

• The role of the ECs in the clean energy transition and under Cohesion Policy
• How JASPERS can support the development of ECs and related grant financing schemes
• Good practices for ECs organisational models under Cohesion Policy, including their social dimension (e.g. addressing energy policy)
• State aid considerations relevant to ECs
• Case study examples of EC projects and financing schemes implemented by Member States, including under European Regional Development Fund and Just Transition Fund
• Discussion based on questions from Member States, addressing key challenges and related advisory needs