EU Regions Week: European Alliance highlights the key role of local energy communities in building a fair and resilient energy transition
Brussels, 13 October 2026 – The European Alliance Group hosted a seminar entitled “Developing Resilient Regional and Local Energy Communities in the EU” as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026. The event, chaired by EA President Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Corsican Assembly, brought together EU policymakers, researchers and local representatives to explore how citizen-led energy initiatives can strengthen Europe’s energy independence, resilience and sustainability.
Opening the seminar, President Maupertuis highlighted the importance of energy communities in reducing household energy bills, strengthening local economies and giving citizens a direct role in the green transition. She stressed that the benefits of renewable energy must be accessible to everyone, including vulnerable households, and called for clearer regulations, simplified procedures and better access to European funding to support local initiatives.
Katharina Hartmann, from the European Commission’s DG ENER, presented the European policy perspective on energy communities and the EU’s role in supporting their development. Susanna Myllylä, researcher and Coppieters Foundation expert, shared findings from her research on pioneering energy communities in Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands. Drawing on examples such as the Danish island of Samsø and the innovative Schoonschip neighbourhood in Amsterdam, she emphasised the importance of local ownership, citizen participation and flexible regulatory frameworks in developing successful community-led energy projects.
The seminar also showcased concrete examples of local and regional innovation. Frederik Loeckx, Managing Director of Flux50, presented the Otterbeek energy community in Flanders, an initiative that has mobilised around €1 million in citizen investment to provide affordable renewable electricity to approximately 200 social housing units. The project also illustrated some of the administrative and regulatory obstacles that continue to hinder the expansion of energy communities.
Ánxela Fernández Callís, Mayor of O Rosal in Galicia, shared her municipality’s experience in promoting sustainable energy solutions and involving residents in the energy transition. She highlighted the role of local authorities in developing energy communities and supporting initiatives that bring tangible environmental, economic and social benefits to citizens, demonstrating how even small municipalities can lead ambitious sustainability projects.
The discussions underlined the essential role of local and regional authorities in delivering a fair, decentralised and resilient energy transition. Participants highlighted the need to remove administrative barriers, facilitate access to financing and provide greater flexibility for communities to develop energy solutions adapted to their specific territorial needs.
Concluding the seminar, President Maupertuis reiterated the importance of empowering local communities to become active participants in Europe’s energy future. The European Alliance Group reaffirmed its commitment to an energy transition that places citizens and territories at its heart, ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy production are shared across Europe’s regions and communities.