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Energising the Polis? Analysing transition challenges to energy communities in Greece

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Energising the Polis? Analysing transition challenges to energy communities in Greece
Authors: Pantazis, Konstantinos, Busch, Henner
Contributors: Lund University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Departments of Administrative, Economic and Social Sciences, LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies), Lunds universitet, Samhällsvetenskapliga fakulteten, Samhällsvetenskapliga institutioner och centrumbildningar, LUCSUS, Originator
Source: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 58
Subject Terms: Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Energy Systems, Teknik, Naturresursteknik, Energisystem
Description: The transition to a more decentralised energy system, by diversifying energy supply, and expanding renewable energy, is a declared EU objective as is evident from the Clean Energy for All Package. The EU has identified Energy Communities as one of the organisational forms that can facilitate this transition. Greece is a critical case within Europe. Research indicates that Energy Communities could help address energy poverty, drive decarbonisation of the energy sector, and contribute to rural development by tapping into the great potential for renewable energy generation in the country. Despite this high potential, Energy Communities are far less widespread in Greece than in many other EU countries. We investigate the policy challenges Energy Communities encounter in Greece. We base our analysis on policy scoping and interviews. We find challenges in all five domains of policy: Directionality, Demand Articulation, Experimentation, Policy Learning & Coordination and Justice. We find that the concept of Energy Communities is oftentimes co-opted by commercial players. Further, a lack of a coherent vision for Energy Communities in Greece and failing policy coordination inhibit a policy mix that can help a just rollout of the concept, leading to a situation where Energy Communities do not deliver the anticipated community benefits.
Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2025.101055
Database: SwePub
Description
Abstract:The transition to a more decentralised energy system, by diversifying energy supply, and expanding renewable energy, is a declared EU objective as is evident from the Clean Energy for All Package. The EU has identified Energy Communities as one of the organisational forms that can facilitate this transition. Greece is a critical case within Europe. Research indicates that Energy Communities could help address energy poverty, drive decarbonisation of the energy sector, and contribute to rural development by tapping into the great potential for renewable energy generation in the country. Despite this high potential, Energy Communities are far less widespread in Greece than in many other EU countries. We investigate the policy challenges Energy Communities encounter in Greece. We base our analysis on policy scoping and interviews. We find challenges in all five domains of policy: Directionality, Demand Articulation, Experimentation, Policy Learning & Coordination and Justice. We find that the concept of Energy Communities is oftentimes co-opted by commercial players. Further, a lack of a coherent vision for Energy Communities in Greece and failing policy coordination inhibit a policy mix that can help a just rollout of the concept, leading to a situation where Energy Communities do not deliver the anticipated community benefits.
ISSN:22104224
DOI:10.1016/j.eist.2025.101055