When EU goes local: An analysis of the alignment between EU and national energy policies and the needs of local energy initiatives

Despite the EU's promotion of citizen ownership of the energy transition, the impact of such policies on locally initiated energy projects remains mixed. In the study, we explore how EU and Member State energy policies both hinder and enable development of locally based energy projects. Specifically, we study how policies with different underlying rationales (conceptualized as spatially-blind and place-based policies) relate to the needs and challenges faced by people engaged in local energy initiative. The study employs a case study research design, examining four local energy initiatives in Sweden and Denmark, with a focus on diverse ownership models and energy technologies, including solar parks, biogas production, offshore wind power, and hydropower activities. Similarly, the investigation featured three workshop sessions with people involved in local energy policy. The results suggest that EU and state-level energy-related policies (e.g. tax laws, environmental permit regulations, or national infrastructure prioritizations) present significant obstacles for community energy initiatives, affecting their establishment, and potential for growth. Although these policies are essential for integrating long-term environmental considerations and human rights into the decision-making process, they can actually deter local energy projects that contribute positively to the community. Thus, the findings contribute to the development of more coherent policies. • The EU's opening to non-profit energy actors is led by place-based policies. • EU energy policy has made a place-based turn. • Local actors can drive energy change but are often hindered by EU and national policies. • Support for energy communities should be tailored to their needs and challenges. • Actors engaged in local energy initiatives are facilitated by localized policies.