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In one of Italy’s most economically vulnerable regions, two small municipalities, San Giuseppe Vesuviano and Palma Campania, joined forces through the umbrella organisation UCSA to launch a Renewable Energy Community. Households can join the community for free and receive renewable energy and tangible benefits based on income levels.
According to Eurostat in 2018 the Campania region has the highest percentage of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Europe (53% of total population). Moreover, the area hosts a high percentage of marginalised communities with people from the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, China and Bangladesh. The existing provision of state allowances and grants to vulnerable and poor groups provides sufficient data to identify potential people affected by energy poverty. However, data is neither centralised nor consolidated at local level.
The joint effort between the municipal teams and the social services of the 2 municipalities helped getting a better understanding of the energy poverty situation and of people’s needs in Campania. Active involvement from different local groups (faith, associations, etc.) helped setting up the energy community.
→ Mobilising local PV assets: Rather than investing in new infrastructure, UCSA refurbished and connected existing PV systems already installed on public buildings. By the end of 2025, 83 kWp were reconnected, out of a total of 150kWp.
→ Creation of the first energy community in Campania area, with PV on revalorised public land, confiscated from the mafia: Vesuvio Est Energy Community. A total investment of €720,125.00 is planned for this ground-mounted system, which will have 441kWp and benefit approx. 400 families. A legally distinct non-profit foundation was established for that purpose.
→ Social earmarking of national funding: In Italy, energy sharing qualifies for monetary incentives by the national government. The pilot designed a scheme whereby vulnerable households will directly benefit from this revenue.
→ Energy literacy and management support: The municipality of Palma Campania, in partnership with local NGOs, organised education workshops for individuals and professionals and set up an energy office to support vulnerable households.
AESS is primarily involved in supporting public institutions in the energy transition through the promotion of renewable energy sources
UCSA is an Italian Joint Office for Environmental Sustainability created in 2016. It includes the municipalities of Palma Campania, San Gennaro Vesuviano, San Giuseppe Vesuviano and Striano. 61.000 inhabitants.
Each pilot organisation has found a ‘sparring partner’ organisation in its region which expressed its intention to replicate the pilot scheme.
