Consciously social – all aboard for the community energy revolution!

Project DECA is pleased to have hosted and welcomed many to the webinar “Energy communities for socially conscious energy transitions”.

We’d like to give a special thank you to Miguel Macias Sequeira, climate researcher at CENSE – Center for Environmental Research and Sustainability at NOVA University Lisbon, and coordinator of the respective Telheiras/Lumiar Renewable Energy Community (REC). He provided us with a valuable insight into how renewable energy communities can fulfil their purpose of raising renewable installed capacity with solidarity and social cohesion.

How was this done? The Telheiras/Lumiar REC invited and supported those in the community who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford the initial investment in a community solar installation and made them equal members. Now regardless of background, all those in the REC can now partake in the plentiful and free supply of sunshine electricity, easing the load on their bank accounts and levelling the local playing field.

Why was this done? As well as this displaying a sterling dedication to solidarity, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive also implores this type of action, although it is sadly not so widespread. See:

Article 22 “Member States shall provide an enabling framework to promote and facilitate the development of renewable energy communities. That framework shall ensure… the participation in the renewable energy communities is accessible to all consumers, including those in low-income or vulnerable households.”

Some other Key Takeaways from the session: Telheiras/Lumiar REC has put together a 10-step guide to be used by others to help facilitate your own transformative socially conscious REC! See it here!

Meet people where they are at: Digital tools are key in a REC’s feasibility, but what is most important for recruiting members is simplicity. Only the diehard pillars of the energy community need be involved in the technical nitty-gritty.

Be ambitious but work within your bounds: The Telheiras community operates within the broader context of Portugal's energy landscape. You can work only within yours!

Got Interested?

As part of the DECA project we are holding introductory and more extensive training covering the fundamentals, social aspects and technological aspects of REC establishment. If you want to get connected with the local partner hosting one of these events in your part of the Danube region, just check our coverage and partner organisations HERE.

Join our next Learning Lab

Why not SIGN UP for our webinar on 5th May and hear about best practice in Energy Community Management from Austria?