Empowering Energy Communities at Every Level

The Extremadura Energy Agency (AGENEX) is at the forefront of fostering energy communities at regional, cross-border, and European levels through three flagship projects: OTC, Transcom Euroace, and ShareRES. These initiatives combine expert advice, pilot actions, and policy enhancements to empower citizens in managing their energy consumption, contributing to a more sustainable and democratic energy transition.

The OTC (Community Transformation Office) of Extremadura is a regional advisory hub dedicated to establishing energy communities within the region. By providing information, guidance, and practical support, AGENEX assists citizens, SMEs, and public administrators in initiating and managing energy communities. This initiative is made possible through national funding from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE).

Meanwhile, Transcom Euroace, co-funded by the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) cross-border cooperation programme, extends this model across the Spanish-Portuguese border in the EUROACE region (Alentejo, Central Portugal, and Extremadura). The project includes 9 pilot actions and introduces a Transboundary Community Advisory Service (STAC), designed to build synergies between energy communities on both sides of the border, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange.

At the European level, ShareRES, co-funded by the EU’s Interreg Europe programme, tackled legal and administrative barriers that limit citizen participation in energy markets. Its goal was to enhance policies in participating regions to support a democratic, sustainable, and inclusive energy system driven by energy communities.

The benefits of these projects are multifaceted. By promoting energy communities, they drive emission reductions by integrating renewable energy sources into the broader energy system. Economically, shared self-consumption with photovoltaic panels can result in savings of 60%-70% on electricity bills, which is double the savings of individual self-consumption. Additionally, by scaling up installations, the investment cost can be reduced by up to 25%, offering excellent opportunities for citizens and businesses.

Beyond these practical benefits, the initiatives empower individuals to shape the energy landscape, promoting autonomy, inclusivity, and social cohesion. They also enhance energy literacy, enabling citizens to make informed decisions that reduce costs and boost efficiency.

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!