Empowering Rural Spain Through Energy Communities: A Path to Sustainable Change

Genomineerd 2024
On the thesis of Elena Gallego
Energy Communities in Rural Municipalities of Spain: A Case Study on Their Context and Current Challenges (2023)
Promotor(en) Francesco Di Iacovo & Xavier Simón Fernández, Faculteit Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen
  lib.ugent.be
SDG 1 – Geen armoede | SDG 7 - Betaalbare en duurzame energie | SDG 9 – Industrie, innovatie en infrastructuur | SDG 10 – Ongelijkheid verminderen | SDG 11 – Duurzame steden en gemeenschappen | SDG 12 – Verantwoorde consumptie en productie
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Energy communities (ECs) in rural Spain are emerging as transformative communities, providing not only renewable energy but also opportunities to revitalise areas facing depopulation, economic hardship and inequality. This research delves into the challenges and transformative potential of ECs in these regions, highlighting the barriers and opportunities faced by rural residents who see these projects as an opportunity to regain control over energy and local development. By focusing on O Rosal, a rural town in Galicia, the study reveals the power of community energy to create a sense of autonomy and sustainability within communities that have often been overlooked by national policies.

A community-centred model for energy independence 

ECs are designed to generate and manage renewable energy at a local level, reducing reliance on traditional suppliers while delivering economic and environmental benefits. For many residents of rural Spain, however, ECs offer much more than energy savings - they represent an opportunity for empowerment, enabling communities to control their resources, reduce high energy costs and promote a sustainable future. By returning control to local hands, ECs can drive economic regeneration, create local jobs and restore pride in areas long neglected by large corporations and centralised policy reforms.  

However, there are challenges to implementing ECs in rural areas, even those as promising as Galicia. With complex administrative requirements, high costs and competition from large energy companies, the road to establishing an EC is a formidable one. This study shows that while ECs can be powerful tools for rural empowerment and revitalisation, successful implementation requires more than just technical and economic solutions - it requires deep local commitment and trust. 

An anthropological lens on renewable energy: Why people matter 

Photo by Elena Gallego

Most studies of energy communities have had a predominantly technical or financial focus, emphasisingefficiency, cost reduction or technological innovation. But this research takes a different approach, offering an anthropological perspective that places people at the centre of the energy transition. Through a unique combination of literature analysis and local fieldwork, this study provides a comprehensive look at the social dynamics involved in the adoption of EC.

The voices of rural residents in the study area reveal a spectrum of feelings towards ECs, ranging from enthusiasm about the economic and environmental benefits to concerns about sustainability and potential pitfalls. Many residents are optimistic about the potential of ECs but are wary of issues such as the complexity of managing community-owned systems and the risks of corporate interference. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how residents feel about renewable energy - an aspect that, if overlooked, risks turning well-intentioned initiatives into mere numbers and data points. Ultimately, understanding these local perspectives helps shed light on what makes energy transitions truly effective, ensuring ECs are not only efficient but also meaningful to those they aim to benefit.  

Financial and administrative barriers: A major obstacle 

One of the main barriers to the implementation of ECs in rural Spain is financial. Setting up renewable energy projects involves significant upfront costs and a lengthy bureaucratic process that discourages many potential participants. While government incentives exist, they are often insufficient or too difficult to access, especially for smaller communities with limited administrative support. The study found that despite the resources available, the complexity of navigating funding channels and legal requirements is a major barrier, leaving many residents feeling unprepared to meet the financial demands involved. 

In addition, the administrative process itself is daunting. For communities without the necessary legal or technical expertise, the paperwork required to set up an EC can be overwhelming. Often, this bureaucratic burden discourages communities from even attempting to set up an EC, leaving the potential of renewable energy out of reach. In contrast, better-resourced communities or larger companies are better able to take advantage of these opportunities, perpetuating an uneven playing field. 

Community distrust and corporate influence 

The legacy of corporate dominance in rural Spain casts a long shadow over the EC's efforts. For decades, large-scale renewable energy companies have entered rural areas, promising economic growth but often prioritising profit over community needs. This history of exploitation has left many rural residents understandably cautious, viewing new EC initiatives with a mixture of hope and suspicion.  

A key issue identified in this research is the pressure exerted by large energy companies, which often seek to control or influence local EC projects under the guise of support. While these companies may provide significant resources and technical expertise, their involvement often shifts the focus from community needs to corporate objectives. This dynamic risks undermining the autonomy and benefits that ECs are intended to provide. As the case study showed, rural residents expressed concern about the potential for companies to monopolise ECs, effectively taking away the very local control these communities hoped to achieve.  

Bridging the urban-rural divide in Spain 

Another key aspect of this research is the potential of the ECs to bridge the stark urban-rural divide in Spain. For decades, rural areas have faced economic and infrastructural disadvantages and have struggled to keep pace with urban centres in terms of development and modernisation. ECs offer a promising solution to these inequalities by promoting local self-sufficiency, reducing energy costs and stimulating job creation. By producing and managing energy locally, ECs allow economic benefits to stay within the community, supporting local development. 

For rural towns such as the study area, ECs have the potential to reverse depopulation trends and attract new residents and businesses by offering a modern, sustainable energy model. This research highlights how ECs can serve as a rallying point for local development, symbolising that rural Spain is embracing sustainable development while retaining its unique heritage and values. As rural areas seek to assert their relevance and value, ECs offer a meaningful way to do so, emphasising that the future of renewable energy includes even the most remote communities. 

The importance of trust and community involvement 

Photo by Elena Gallego

A key takeaway from this study is the need for ECs to foster genuine trust and community engagement. In the study area, the voices of residents reflected a strong desire for projects that felt local, inclusive and transparent. Many shared that for an EC project to be successful, it must be built on open communication and community involvement. Otherwise, even the best-intentioned projects risk alienating the very people they aim to serve. 

Rural residents and experts expressed that while they are excited about the potential benefits of ECs, they remain cautious. Their concerns range from technical difficulties and financial sustainability to the ever-present risk of corporate intrusion. This study shows that for ECs to be successful, they need to be designed around the specific needs, resources and aspirations of each community, creating a sense of genuine ownership and commitment. By fostering an environment of trust, ECs can ensure that residents feel confident in the transition to renewable energy. 

A way forward for rural Spain 

ECs hold great promise for rural Spain as a means of democratising energy access, reducing costs and addressing long-standing urban-rural disparities. However, for these initiatives to be truly successful, they must remain firmly rooted in the communities they serve. This study suggests that protecting local control, building trust, and involving residents in every step of the process are essential components for lasting success. By adopting an anthropological perspective, this research underlines that the ultimate success of ECs depends on the empowerment and involvement of local residents - demonstrating that renewable energy is about much more than technology; it's about people. 


Photo by Elena Gallego

In conclusion, ECs are a transformative tool for rural Spain, offering not only a transition to renewable energy, but also a way to restore autonomy, create economic opportunity, and bridge the urban-rural divide. As communities like O Rosal move towards self-sustaining, locally driven energy models, they are demonstrating how renewable energy can become a true engine for social change, economic revitalisation and community empowerment. Through a deep commitment to the principles of local ownership and inclusion, ECs can offer a sustainable future where rural Spain is not only a participant in the energy transition, but a leader in sustainable, community-centred development. 

Over Elena Gallego

I am an anthropologist by profession and by vocation. I am committed to lifelong learning and to sharing new knowledge with our society in order to make a positive impact. In addition, I am keen to become involved in the issues I research or work on, as well as to establish contact with the relevant stakeholders and to keep abreast of the latest developments. While my interests are numerous, I am particularly focused on the subject of rural environments. I am responsible for researching, disseminating and showcasing the potential of Energy Communities, which is a significant undertaking. My research into Energy Communities has enabled me to gain a foothold in the sector, where I now collaborate with a company that provides guidance and support to those developing their own Energy Communities. This experience allows me to apply the knowledge I have acquired in a practical way, contributing to high-impact work in the field of sustainable energy.