FEDARENE acknowledges the European Commission’s Communication on the Citizens Energy Package as a timely and necessary contribution to the ongoing discussions on energy security, affordability and competitiveness. By placing citizens at the centre of the energy transition, the Package highlights that empowering people is not only a social imperative but also a strategic pathway towards a more resilient and independent European energy system.
FEDARENE welcomes the recognition of local authorities in this Package. Maintaining a multi-level governance perspective in implementing the energy transition is of foremost importance. Regional and Local Energy Agencies are the delivery infrastructures of the Citizens Energy Package, especially through one-stop shops. In practice, citizen energy only scales when there are trusted local intermediaries able to combine technical guidance, support on financing, legal clarity and outreach to households. Yet, these Agencies need support to act as trusted intermediaries between the local and EU levels. In this sense, we welcome the fact that the Package announces guidance for Member States to empower cities, but we underline that Regions should be included in this process.
While the upcoming Energy Communities Action Plan is a promising initiative, it must be backed by adequate financial resources and closely aligned with existing legislative frameworks. Moreover, stronger attention should be given to key areas that remain underdeveloped, such as support for vulnerable households, citizen-led renovation projects and community-based heating and cooling solutions. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure that the energy transition is not only green, but also fair and inclusive.
Ultimately, FEDARENE calls for a more ambitious and coherent approach that fully recognises the role of local and regional actors in driving Europe’s energy future. Empowering citizens means more than enabling participation: it requires creating the right conditions for them to lead the transition towards sustainable energy systems.
FEDARENE’s position is further detailed in our recent paper, From policy vision to practice: Why Energy Agencies matter for the Citizen Energy Package. The paper highlights how Energy Agencies turn EU policy into practical solutions by offering technical support, financing guidance and one-stop services. This contributes to the development of energy communities, addresses energy poverty and ensures an inclusive energy transition. Strengthening their role will be key to a fair and effective energy transition across Europe.
