The recently concluded ManagEnergy Master Class on Energy Communities brought together 27 participants from 16 countries to explore energy community projects across Europe.
"By 2050, half of Europe’s citizens could be producing up to half of the EU’s renewable energy," stated ManagEnergy Trainer Francisco Puente (ESCAN, Spain) during the first session of the Master Class. This bold projection highlights the transformative potential of energy communities in shaping Europe's future energy landscape. But while the opportunity is vast, so are the challenges—particularly when it comes to navigating regulatory frameworks.
Energy communities are more than just technical projects—they represent a way to engage citizens in the energy transition, empowering local actors to take control of their energy needs. This is what the 7th ManagEnergy Master Class, held over three days in September and October 2024 online and in Brussels, sought to address. Led by experts Christiane Egger, Deputy Manager at OÖ Energiesparverband (Austria), and Francisco Puente, Director of Escan Energy Consulting (Spain), the course focused on developing participants' skills to support the creation and growth of energy communities across Europe.
The class covered everything from the European policy framework to the practicalities of setting up, financing, and operating energy communities. Contributions from representatives of the European Commission and CINEA provided valuable insights into regulatory barriers and potential funding opportunities.