Adobe Express Photos bfde05c444064f768aa61cca095568ed Copy Edited

The briefing highlights that Europe is facing a persistent energy and cost of living crisis, with 15.5% of households experiencing energy poverty and over 40 million unable to heat their homes adequately. Geopolitical tensions have further increased the cost of fossil fuel imports. REScoop.eu argues that energy communities are a critical solution because they:

  • Enhance energy security: By providing local renewable energy and alleviating grid pressure, which is vital for import-dependent countries like Ireland.
  • Ensure affordability: By offering fair, stable pricing and mitigating high market prices.
  • Pursue social objectives: By tackling energy poverty and helping households reduce consumption.
  • Bridge the investment gap: By crowdsourcing private capital to help address the €400 billion climate investment deficit.

Summary of recommendations

REScoop.eu calls on the Irish Presidency to prioritise energy communities across several key policy areas:

  • Citizens Energy Package (CEP): Convene an ongoing "Energy Communities Dialogue" between the European Commission, Member States, and civil society to facilitate the national implementation of enabling policies and share best practices.
  • Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028-2034): Ensure the next EU budget includes earmarked, dedicated funding for energy communities, recognizing them as vehicles for just transition and regional cohesion.
  • Heating and Cooling Strategy: Establish a facilitating framework for community-led heating and cooling, introduce binding not-for-profit/benefit-sharing models, and create an EU-wide "Heat Development Fund" to support projects through risky development phases.
  • Grids Package: Address barriers to grid access by:
    • Implementing a "community energy test" to check grid-planning and permitting provisions against their impact on energy communities.
    • Ensuring strong benefit-sharing provisions, while exempting community projects from obligations that might hinder their social value.
    • Prioritising grid access for community projects and mandating one-stop shops for technical and permitting assistance.
    • Integrating energy communities into system flexibility and congestion management planning.