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Abstract(s)
Esta investigação explora o potencial das comunidades de energia renovável (CER), um ator emergente
na transição energética, como instrumento de democratização energética em Portugal. Através de grelhas
de análise ancoradas nos conceitos de democracia energética e de energia renovável comunitária, foram
examinados quatro estudos de caso – os programas “100 Aldeias” e “Comunidades Inclusivas” e as CER
de Telheiras e da Ilha da Culatra –, com o intuito de aferir se constituem instrumentos de democratização
energética e expressões de energia renovável comunitária. Estas iniciativas distinguem-se pelo estatuto
legal, perfil dos atores envolvidos, modalidade de propriedade e controlo, grau de envolvimento das
comunidades locais e distribuição dos benefícios financeiros. A sua caracterização foi aprofundada
através de análise documental, entrevistas semiestruturadas, observação participante e visitas de campo.
A investigação revela que as CER enfrentam barreiras técnicas e administrativas significativas, que
dificultam a sua expansão e consolidação. Demonstra ainda que nem todas as iniciativas coletivas e
descentralizadas de energias renováveis, frequentemente denominadas de comunidades de energia
renovável, representam instrumentos de democratização energética e expressões de energia renovável
comunitária.
Da análise comparativa dos estudos de caso resultou uma tipologia das iniciativas coletivas e
descentralizadas de energias renováveis em Portugal: autoconsumos coletivos liderados por empresas
privadas, autoconsumos coletivos em regime de parceria e CER de base local. Estas categorias divergem
no seu potencial contributo para fomentar a democracia energética e a energia renovável comunitária.
Conclui-se que a concretização do potencial democratizador das CER depende do seu alinhamento
com os pilares da energia renovável comunitária – enraizamento local, governança democrática e
participação direta de cidadãos e comunidades –, bem como de um compromisso mais amplo destas
iniciativas para com a transformação estrutural do sistema energético.
This research explores the potential of renewable energy communities (RECs), an emerging actor in the energy transition, as an instrument of energy democratisation in Portugal. Using analytical frameworks anchored in the concepts of energy democracy and community renewable energy, four case studies were examined – the “100 Villages” and “Inclusive Communities” programmes and the Telheiras and Culatra Island RECs – in order to assess whether they are instruments of energy democratisation and expressions of community renewable energy. These initiatives differ in terms of their legal status, the profile of the actors involved, the model of ownership and control, the degree of involvement of local communities and the distribution of financial benefits. Their characterisation was deepened through documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews, participant observation and field visits. The research reveals that RECs face significant technical and administrative barriers, which hinder their expansion and consolidation. It also shows that not all collective and decentralised renewable energy initiatives, often referred to as renewable energy communities, represent instruments of energy democratisation and expressions of community renewable energy. The comparative analysis of the case studies resulted in a typology of collective and decentralised renewable energy initiatives in Portugal: collective self-consumption led by private companies, collective self-consumption in partnership and locally-based RECs. These categories differ in their potential contribution to fostering energy democracy and community renewable energy. In conclusion, achieving the democratising potential of RECs depends on their alignment with the pillars of community renewable energy – local rootedness, democratic governance and the direct participation of citizens and communities – as well as a broader commitment by these initiatives to the structural transformation of the energy system.
This research explores the potential of renewable energy communities (RECs), an emerging actor in the energy transition, as an instrument of energy democratisation in Portugal. Using analytical frameworks anchored in the concepts of energy democracy and community renewable energy, four case studies were examined – the “100 Villages” and “Inclusive Communities” programmes and the Telheiras and Culatra Island RECs – in order to assess whether they are instruments of energy democratisation and expressions of community renewable energy. These initiatives differ in terms of their legal status, the profile of the actors involved, the model of ownership and control, the degree of involvement of local communities and the distribution of financial benefits. Their characterisation was deepened through documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews, participant observation and field visits. The research reveals that RECs face significant technical and administrative barriers, which hinder their expansion and consolidation. It also shows that not all collective and decentralised renewable energy initiatives, often referred to as renewable energy communities, represent instruments of energy democratisation and expressions of community renewable energy. The comparative analysis of the case studies resulted in a typology of collective and decentralised renewable energy initiatives in Portugal: collective self-consumption led by private companies, collective self-consumption in partnership and locally-based RECs. These categories differ in their potential contribution to fostering energy democracy and community renewable energy. In conclusion, achieving the democratising potential of RECs depends on their alignment with the pillars of community renewable energy – local rootedness, democratic governance and the direct participation of citizens and communities – as well as a broader commitment by these initiatives to the structural transformation of the energy system.
Description
Keywords
Comunidades de energia renovável Democracia energética Energia comunitária renovável Portugal