Ever wondered how energy communities work? If so, make sure you join the European Climate Pact’s session at European Sustainable Energy Week 2025 (EUSEW2025). You’ll learn about how they work, the benefits they bring, and why joining one could help you make a difference.
About the event
Energy communities let people take control of the energy transition in their local areas. Many European Climate Pact Ambassadors have been involved in energy communities and have a wealth of useful experience to share.
In the Pact’s session at EUSEW2025, taking place on Wednesday 11 June (9:30 – 11:00 CEST), Pact Ambassadors will explain more about what energy communities are and give their tips for setting one up from scratch.
Join the session to:
- learn more about how energy communities work and their role in the energy transition;
- hear from Pact Ambassadors, including:
- get updates on relevant EU policy, including initiatives like the Citizen Energy Advisory Hub, the European Energy Communities Facility, and energy communities at European level;
- connect with other people who might be interested in starting energy communities.
How to attend
To attend this event, follow these three simple steps:
- Register for EUSEW2025 as an online or in-person attendee
- Add ‘Unlocking the potential of energy communities’ session to your agenda
- Join the session at 9:30 (CEST) on 11 June
European Sustainable Energy Week is an annual event to shape Europe’s sustainable energy future. This year’s edition, ‘powering a fair and competitive green transition’, is happening in Brussels and online from 10 to 12 June.
You can explore the full programme on the EUSEW2025 website.
What is an energy community?
An energy community is a group of people who work together to manage the energy systems in their local area.
Anyone can start an energy community. You can team up with other like-minded people, local authorities and businesses to finance, own, govern and manage local energy-related activities. Energy communities can take many different forms, from associations, cooperatives or partnerships to non-profit organisation or even companies.
Energy communities are changing how we manage energy. They belong to the people and organisations who team up to manage them, putting the power in their hands. They also prioritise environmental and social benefits over profit, driving the clean energy transition.
These communities can get involved in producing, consuming, distributing, storing, sharing and buying renewable energy. They can also provide other energy services, such as energy efficiency measures or even charging points for electric cars.
One example comes from the Telheiras Renewable Energy Community in Lisbon, coordinated by Pact Ambassador Miguel Macias Sequeira. In this community – one of the first of its kind in Portugal – residents have teamed up to buy solar panels to produce their own solar energy.
This initiative has helped to reduce electricity bills for local businesses and families living in energy poverty. By using renewable energy sources, they are also doing their bit to support climate goals and the energy transition.
How can I get involved?
Starting or joining an energy community could bring you many possible benefits, such as:
- giving you more control and independence, as you will no longer be reliant on the big players in the energy market;
- keeping money in your own community and supporting the development of your local area;
- lowering your energy bills by producing your own renewable energy;
- building a stronger sense of community as you work with and support others (e.g. by helping reduce energy poverty, bringing more local green job opportunities);
- doing your part to support the clean energy transition and wider climate goals in the journey to net zero.
Sound good? If so, the European Climate Pact is here to help you on your journey.
Getting involved in the Pact could help you connect with Pact Ambassadors and Partners and others who might be interested in starting or joining an energy community. This could be within in your local area, or even across borders.
You can join our events to connect with the Pact community, expand your knowledge, and meet other like-minded people who are interested in this topic. You can also learn from a wealth of resources on our EU Climate Action Academy, for example:
If you want to learn more about the potential of energy communities, register for our event at EUSEW2025.
