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Statistical Evidence on the Role of Energy Cooperatives for the Energy Transition in European Countries

Author

Listed:
  • August Wierling

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

  • Valeria Jana Schwanitz

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

  • Jan Pedro Zeiß

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

  • Celine Bout

    (DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark)

  • Chiara Candelise

    (Bocconi University [Milan, Italy])

  • Winston Gilcrease

    (UNITO - Università degli studi di Torino = University of Turin)

  • Jay Sterling Gregg

    (DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark)

Abstract

The share of renewable energy is increasing throughout Europe. Yet, little is known about how much can be attributed to different actors, other than those commercially active. This paper provides empirical evidence of activities by energy cooperatives in the field of renewable energy in four different European countries. It draws from a database consisting of 2671 entries, contrasting results from current literature. We find that energy cooperatives are important enablers of the energy transition. However, their role is shrinking in recent years due to a tightening or removal of supportive schemes. We conclude that it is necessary to develop a systematic accounting system to properly track and make visible the contributions by different actors. In turn, this will help to better model the likely speed of Europe's energy transition.

Suggested Citation

  • August Wierling & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & Jan Pedro Zeiß & Celine Bout & Chiara Candelise & Winston Gilcrease & Jay Sterling Gregg, 2018. "Statistical Evidence on the Role of Energy Cooperatives for the Energy Transition in European Countries," Post-Print hal-05125451, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05125451
    DOI: 10.3390/su10093339
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://uca.hal.science/hal-05125451v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. August Wierling & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Veronica Lupi & Chiara Candelise & Alessandro Sciullo & Valeria Jana Schwanitz, 2021. "The Contribution of Energy Communities to the Upscaling of Photovoltaics in Germany and Italy," Post-Print hal-05125364, HAL.
    2. Martina Massari, 2025. "Powering Change: The Urban Scale of Energy, an Italian Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-23, September.
    3. August Wierling & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Constantin von Beck & Valeria Jana Schwanitz, 2022. "Business models of energy cooperatives active in the PV sector—A statistical analysis for Germany," Post-Print hal-05125314, HAL.
    4. Anastasios I. Karameros & Athanasios P. Chassiakos & Theo Tryfonas, 2025. "A Novel Community Energy Projects Governance Model and Support Ecosystem Framework Based on Heating and Cooling Projects Enabled by Energy Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-33, July.
    5. August Wierling & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Constantin von Beck & Heather Arghandeh Paudler & Ingrid Knutsdotter Koren & Tobias Kraudzun & Timothy Marcroft & Lukas Müller & Zacharias , 2023. "A Europe-wide inventory of citizen-led energy action with data from 29 countries and over 10000 initiatives," Post-Print hal-05124058, HAL.
    6. Valeria Jana Schwanitz & August Wierling & Heather Arghandeh Paudler & Constantin von Beck & Simon Dufner & Ingrid Knutsdotter Koren & Tobias Kraudzun & Timothy Marcroft & Lukas Mueller & Jan Pedro Ze, 2023. "Statistical evidence for the contribution of citizen-led initiatives and projects to the energy transition in Europe," Post-Print hal-05124038, HAL.

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