The final Clean Energy Package (CEP) contains two definitions of energy community: Citizen Energy Community (CEC) which is contained in Directive (EU) 2019/944 (recast Electricity Directive), and Renewable Energy Community (REC), which is contained in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (the recast Renewable Energy Directive). They are similar, but not totally consistent.

There are many open questions regarding what these definitions mean, their relationship between each other and other concepts in the CEP. The aim of this question and answer briefing is to address many of these questions, in order to develop a common understanding about how these new concepts should be communicated, transposed into national legislation, and implemented at national level.