The Role of Energy Communities in the Achievement of a Region’s Energy Goals: The Case of a Southeast Mediterranean Region

Yfanti Sofia (), Dimitris Katsaprakakis (), Nikos Sakkas, Constantinos Condaxakis, Emmanuel Karapidakis, Stelios Syntichakis and George M. Stavrakakis
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Yfanti Sofia: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Dimitris Katsaprakakis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Nikos Sakkas: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Constantinos Condaxakis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Emmanuel Karapidakis: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Stelios Syntichakis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
George M. Stavrakakis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-33

Abstract: This study explores the potential of ECs as a conduit for achieving a region’s or a country’s energy goals. The study focuses on Greece, where roughly 1700 energy communities have been founded since 2018. The methodology adopted is based, initially, on an extensive literature survey, aiming to outline the general energy goals on a regional and national level. On a second stage, focused interviews were accomplished with four of the biggest energy communities in Greece, investigating essential topics, such as their motivations, their business models, the obstacles they have faced, and their achievements. Environmental, economic, and energy security reasons were revealed as the main incentives for the foundation of energy communities in Greece. The major obstacles underlined by the interviewees were the bureaucracy and the changing, often towards a less supportive direction, legal framework. The contribution to a more sustainable energy environment, the reduction of the electricity procurement cost, and the remedy of energy poverty feature as the most important achievements. In the context of the ongoing energy transition in Greece, this article concludes that even though ECs can promote energy transition and mobilise a commonly acknowledged dialogue that can aid a nation’s efforts to achieve its energy goals, further investigation is required regarding the proposed policy initiatives, focused on strategies for upscaling the impact of energy communities, thus enabling them to flourish further.

Keywords: energy community; national energy climate plant; renewable energy sources; energy transition; sustainability; cluster; rational use of energy; energy democracy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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