The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The Commission has recognised the need to integrate sectors of the energy system to exploit synergies, highlighting current barriers to allowing industry and citizens embracing cleaner energy alternatives.

To support this endeavour, we highlighted the work of cooperatives in the fields of heating and cooling, electric transport, building renovation, and digitalisation in our response to the consultation, linking to best practices.

Our recommendations:

  • Acknowledge the role of energy communities in a socially fair and citizen-centered approach to smart integration
  • Proper economic incentives for investment in renewable heating and storage
  • Ensure markets properly value distributed energy resources provided by energy communities to the system