Policy recommendations from the ground for a fair energy transition

Drawing upon the experiences of six municipalities involved in the POWER UP project, this report presents policy recommendations framed at both, the local and national level. The policy recommendations were co-developed with the project partners, pilots, and researchers from the University of Manchester, UK, involved in POWER UP. The policy recommendations cover a range of topics – including definitions of energy communities, technical regulations, funding mechanisms, and planning procedures. 

The recommendations also address a number of stakeholders, including municipality departments, community organisations, and regulatory actors. Alongside policy recommendations situated within the context of the pilots and replicators, recommendations framed at the EU level have also been developed. These EU level recommendations capture the higher-level experiences of the energy communities and were developed by synthesising the experiences of the pilots in Valencia (Spain), Rožnov pod Radhoštěm (Czechia), Eeklo (Belgium), Campania Region (Italy), Heerlen (The Netherlands), and North Macedonia. Throughout the report, when appropriate, reference is made to existing policy frameworks and support mechanisms to highlight potential synergies and opportunities for building upon existing activities.