In recent years, numerous projects aimed at establishing energy communities across Spain have been launched. These communities demonstrate that such innovative projects have a place in our country and play a key role in driving the energy sovereignty transition toward the citizens.
Some have referred to these initiatives as “real utopias”. While many of them indeed leave behind a model considered outdated, they often still lack a more inclusive perspective. We will discuss this further with Raquel Rodríguez, Camila Canelas, and Paco Jofra, technicians of the European project.
Energy communities are a reality across Europe and, specifically in Catalonia, they are a significant force in reshaping the current energy model. Although many of these communities aim to break away from the previous model— centralised, fossilised, and influenced by oligopolies—, most still struggle to include those collectives that might be in a vulnerable position. Unfortunately, some households have limited access to initiatives that build energy communities or shared self-consumption proposals. As a result, some families are being left behind in the energy transition and the revolution that energy communities are driving across Europe and, especially, in Catalonia.
Energy Communities and Energy Poverty
For this reason, a shift in perspective that prioritizes people is essential. According to Eurostat’s 2022 data, 9.3% of European households are unable to maintain adequate heating in their homes during winter. The figure rose from 6.9% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2022, primarily due to the energy crisis triggered by gas shortages caused by the war in Ukraine.
Therefore, it is clear that the energy transition must be designed for all citizens, not just for a select few. This is where initiatives like Sun4All step in. Sun4All is a European project that was born when energy communities still weren’t a reality. Funded by the H2020, it is coordinated by Associació Ecoserveis and led by the Barcelona Local Energy Agency (Agència d’energia de Barcelona) in its pilot deployment in the city of Barcelona. This initiative seeks to ensure that vulnerable households have access to renewable energy, helping to meet their energy needs. In doing so, it promotes access to affordable energy, creates job opportunities, empowers citizens regarding their energy rights, and improves public healthcare altogether.
Sun4All, a Project Integrating Both Concepts
Raquel Rodríguez, technician for the Ecoserveis project, defines it briefly: “We need initiatives that go further because we normally have energy transition projects, but they often overlook families, their needs, and the fact that they might be in a vulnerable position.” Paco Jofra, another energy technician, adds: “Ultimately, Sun4All has opened the door to addressing community energy and vulnerability. Every time we hear about energy transition, this second concept is missing and can’t longer be ignored. Energy communities must not overlook vulnerability.”
Sun4All has been working to promote shared self-consumption in households with vulnerable families. Although the process has not been easy— mainly due to the obstacles posed by distributors and large energy companies—, the truth is that the project ends with significant engagement from the participating families and a very positive overall assessment, as Jofra explains: “There are plenty of interesting aspects, but one of the most remarkable is that, despite being a project that has required a high level of support (due to the challenges families faced), it has been incredibly rewarding to see how these families have become empowered throughout the process. They have learned more about their energy rights, understood new concepts, and stood up to the oligopoly!”
The project has demonstrated that one of the main challenges stems from institutional and regulatory limitations. Underdeveloped regulatory frameworks, a lack of communication channels between actors in the energy sector, and prolonged licensing processes have hindered the project’s full potential. “Similar projects that challenge the malpractice of the energy oligopoly need to be promoted. The regulations have been clear and in place since 2019, and delays or abusive practices must be penalised”, Jofra claims. Difficulties aside, one of the project’s greatest achievements has been the sense of community it has created. Project manager Camila Canelas explains: “The team we’ve worked with has been amazing, and there was a strong sense of unity. No one worked more than the others; the teamwork was genuine, and this allowed us to connect with the families in a very special and unique way. A community has been built.”
In fact, one of the project’s objectives—empowering citizens who might not initially feel engaged by the narrative concerning the energy transition— has been successfully met. The 113 families that have taken part in the project were aware from the beginning that it was a pilot test. This led them to be flexible with the problems that arose and to learn about one topic, shared self-consumption, which they hadn’t addressed before.
Assessment of a Successful Project
Once the project has concluded, it’s time to assess its outcomes. In Raquel Rodríguez’s view, one of the greatest achievements has been successfully replicating the New York model in Europe. “We have made a lot of noise,” she says. “Other initiatives have appeared later on, but being in the spotlight in this case has been quite interesting.” According to Paco Jofra, the kind of message and the communication that has been possible to establish with the families has been a key success: “Communication has occurred through clear and understandable messages at all times, something that is often lacking in public administration. We avoided confusing messages and focused a lot on building, maintaining, and nurturing this bond of trust. Because it is important to acknowledge that the current oligopoly has been one of the biggest barriers to the project’s success and, had we not empowered the families, it would not have been possible to carry it out. This has also been one of the keys to the success of S4A.”
Exporting the Model and Looking Ahead
“It is essential that, now that the wheel has started to spin, it doesn’t stop,” Canelas emphasizes. There must be replicability. “For those looking to start a similar project, I would advise patience,” she adds. “It is not easy to break away from certain established frameworks, but bit by bit, with trust and patience, the foundations are laid, and significant steps are made, however small they may seem in the beginning. As for us, we know that the future lies in remembering what we have achieved and working to keep the project alive.”
In fact, this project has become a reference point, both for the innovation it represents and the many connections forged by the partner organizations. Local, regional, and international connections have enabled an interesting knowledge exchange and have also entailed the creation of networks of key actors. These networks must be maintained, preserved, and encouraged. “We started at a local level, in Barcelona, but now it’s time to take a step further and build a stronger community with citizens, really focusing on what families need,” Rodríguez explains. “We’ve laid the foundation stone, but those who follow must foster an even deeper sense of community. The administration provides the resources and opens many doors, but if we can reach more users and beneficiaries, the results will have an even greater impact,” she concludes.
Article translated by Anna Miralta Solé.
