Half of all European Union citizens could be producing their own electricity by 2050, and meeting 45% of the EU’s electricity demand. Our energy market is switching from fossil fuels and nuclear to renewable energy, but it’s also shifting from a centralised market dominated by large utilities to one in which people produce their own energy and help to manage demand.
Without these “energy citizens”, the transition to a 100% renewable energy system won’t be possible. Yet, energy citizens face significant legal obstacles to making their own electricity.
Throughout the European Union there are explicit legal restrictions, disproportionate administrative and planning procedures and punitive tariffs that prevent citizens from driving a renewable energy transition.
With the right EU legal framework, energy citizens could flourish and deliver a significant share of Europe’s renewable energy and provide important flexibility to the energy system through demand response.
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