Pérez Sánchez, Cristina

As global challenges related to climate change intensify, societies are exploring innovative approaches to mitigate its impacts. A key strategy is the transition to renewable energy, which has the potential to enable more localized and democratic production, fostering polycentric governance and transforming energy resources into commons. Local energy communities are emerging as a transformative model, comprised of individuals, small enterprises, and local authorities that collaboratively produce, consume, store, and sell renewable energy, along with many other community actions. Unlike large energy companies, communities prioritize social, economic, and environmental benefits for local areas over financial gain, potentially catalyzing broader social transformations. This study examines the transformative potential of energy communities in rural Spain, where climate change interacts with depopulation and market integration pressures. Methodologically, the study combines qualitative data obtained through a participatory workshop and interviews. According to preliminary results, energy communities provide many common and public goods other than just energy, including increased environmental awareness, citizen participation, social cohesion, and an enhanced sense of belonging. Barriers to their emergence and endurance include limited time and knowledge among citizens, corporate capture and legal uncertainty, while facilitators include funding opportunities, a culture of rural community engagement, established energy community networks and support from local governments and cooperative energy marketers within the social and solidarity economy. These and other evidence suggest that energy communities have a great potential to combine rural revitalization and climate resilience.