Energy Communities and SMEs in Spain: Awareness, Perceptions, and Barriers to Participation

Energy communities represent a potential mechanism for Europe’s decentralized energy transition. However, empirical evidence regarding how Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)—key economic stakeholders—perceive or engage with this model remains scarce. This study examines the awareness, perceptions, and participation levels of 219 Spanish SMEs. By applying a quantitative CAWI survey and a four-stage engagement framework (awareness, perception, motivation, and participation), this research maps the factors associated with organizational adoption. The results indicate a significant ‘awareness gap’: only 34% of respondents are familiar with the concept, and participation appears predominantly passive. That is, information gaps and difficulties with communication within institutions, as well as funding, are the main challenges identified, supporting the proposed sequential engagement framework. Given the gap between policy goals and current engagement of SMEs, this paper offers a diagnostic framework to policymakers to identify and address information barriers to SME energy transition.