by Marine Cornelis
Across Europe, energy poverty limits access to affordable and sustainable energy, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households. The POWER UP National Guides produced by Ami Crowther and Saska Petrova from University of Manchester provide a practical roadmap for municipalities, cooperatives, and local organisations to develop inclusive, community-led renewable energy solutions.
These guides document real-world initiatives from Spain (Valencia), Belgium (Eeklo), Czech Republic (Rožnov pod Radhoštěm), Italy (Campania Region), the Netherlands (Heerlen), and North Macedonia (Centar, Valandovo, and Shtip), showcasing diverse approaches to energy communities.
Each guide offers:
• Local context and regulatory framework: Understanding national policies supporting energy communities and collective self-consumption.
• Step-by-step implementation: Practical guidance for designing, financing, and operating social energy business models.
• Opportunities and challenges: Insights into municipal solar projects, energy cooperatives, social housing solutions, and capacity-building activities.
• Scalable solutions: Real-life strategies that cities and organisations can replicate, adapt, and expand to address energy poverty.
Designed for municipalities, citizen energy communities, and local stakeholders, the guides are available in each country’s local language to ensure accessibility and relevance. In addition, a compiled English version is available.
Ready to take action? Pick your country and download:
The POWER UP pilots prove that energy poverty is not inevitable, and community-driven solutions can make a real difference. Whether through cooperative energy models, municipal solar projects, or policy-driven initiatives, there are many ways to make energy more affordable and fair.
The POWER UP National Guides provide a blueprint for action, helping communities replicate and adapt these models.