How the Citizens Energy Package Can Engage EU Citizens
Many EU households still struggle to participate in the clean energy transition. Awareness of tangible benefits is low, and trust in corporate safeguards remains limited. While mechanisms exist, they are often complex, uneven, and hard to access.
The EU’s Citizens Energy Package, building on the Clean Energy Package and the 2025 Action Plan for Affordable Energy, aims to empower consumers and enable energy sharing.
Young Energy Ambassadors (YEA) propose two practical approaches to increase citizen participation: energy communities and community-benefit clauses, supported by tools such as One-Stop Shops (OSS) and a Renewable Energy System Identifier (RES-ID).
Energy Communities: Sharing Power Locally
Energy communities allow citizens to co-own and share renewable energy. However, barriers persist:
- Different definitions and regulations across Member States
- Low awareness and perceived high effort
- Complex bureaucracy and costly, non-interoperable platforms
- Limited benefits for youth, renters, and low-income households
Proposed Solutions
- Energy Community OSS: Single-entry hubs providing documentation, guidance, and energy-sharing evaluations.
- Youth Inclusion: Recognise students and early-career renters as a vulnerable group to access support and benefits.
- Civil-Service Track: Offer young professionals hands-on experience while assisting communities.
- RES-ID: A standardised technical and administrative dataset to simplify applications and approvals across national portals.
Case Studies
- Alto Vicentino, Italy: 16 municipalities set up a community, installed 650 kW of solar on public buildings, and created a youth-led buying club.
- Hyperion, Athens, Greece: Families and NGOs co-own renewable energy, aiming to support multi-unit building renovations.
- Energie Samen, Netherlands: A neighbourhood association revitalises older housing stock, focusing on energy poverty and vulnerable residents.
- Renoss, Italy: Public One-Stop Shops support energy communities nationwide with guidance, grants, and engagement campaigns.
Community-Benefit Clauses: Fair Value Sharing
Benefit-sharing ensures renewable energy projects also deliver social equity. Challenges include complexity, low awareness, and limited participation by youth and renters.
Proposed Solutions
- Include benefits in auction schemes with clear eligible uses, such as local energy relief or community facilities.
- Provide OSS support for accessing funds and training opportunities.
- Develop risk-sharing models for low-income households.
- Use targeted communication via schools, youth groups, and local media.
Case Studies
- Ireland’s RESS Auctions: €2/MWh contribution to local Community Benefit Fund with clear eligibility and reporting.
- Denmark’s VE-loven: 20% local shares, property compensation, and community fund to ensure fair participation.
Why It Matters
Combining energy communities with benefit-sharing, supported by OSS, RES-ID, and interoperability, builds trust, broadens participation, and improves affordability. This approach especially benefits youth, renters, and other underrepresented groups.
Equitable implementation and standardised tools are essential for citizens to become genuine partners in Europe’s clean energy future.
