Support System Aspect
Barriers to Community Engagement and Energy Communities
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Legal and Regulatory Barriers
The legal systems in many countries do not provide clear frameworks for community energy projects, leading to regulatory uncertainty. Permitting, grid connection processes and energy sharing among members, for example, can be complex, particularly for small-scale community projects.
How to Overcome
Governments can simplify permitting processes and provide clear, supportive legal frameworks for community energy projects. Policies such as feed-in tariffs, and guaranteed access to the grid can encourage participation. Providing local technical support and community energy help-desks are also important measures to level the playing field and ensure citizens can compete with large energy players and corporations.
Financial Barriers
Access to funding and capital can be a significant challenge, particularly for projects that require substantial upfront investment. Small communities may also lack the financial expertise to manage large energy projects.
How to Overcome
Governments, local authorities, and financial institutions can offer grants, low-interest loans, and community bond schemes. Capacity building for community groups to increase financial literacy can also help improve management and sustainability of citizen-led RE projects.
Lack of Expertise and Capacity
Communities may lack the technical, legal, and business expertise needed to develop and manage energy projects.
How to Overcome
Providing access to technical assistance, training, and support through local energy hubs, non-profit organisations, or government programmes can help build capacity.
Grid Access and Energy Market Challenges
Gaining access to the national grid and dealing with utility companies can be challenging for small community energy projects, especially with regard to pricing, technical requirements, and negotiations.
How to Overcome
Policymakers can establish clear regulations that facilitate grid access for community projects, including priority grid access for renewables and simplified connection processes.
Social and Community Barriers
Not all communities are equally engaged in renewable energy projects, either due to a lack of awareness, trust, or cohesion within the community. Resistance can also come from individuals with differing priorities or concerns about the impact of projects.
How to Overcome
Fostering community involvement early on and ensuring transparent communication about the benefits and risks can build trust. Holding public consultations and giving the community a real say in project decisions can also improve participation. Showcasing success stories can also contribute to foster motivation and perceived capacity among communities.
Policy Uncertainty
Changing government policies, particularly around subsidies and incentives, can destabilise community energy projects that rely on long-term revenue projections. Ambiguity around the requirements needed to establish a community RE project is often a barrier.
How to Overcome
Stable and long-term policy commitments from governments are needed. This can include locking in subsidies or tax benefits for community energy projects for extended periods to ensure financial security. Pressure governments to be clear when transposing EU mandates into national legislation.