Half of EU citizens could produce renewable electricity - joint NGO study

22 September 2016
by greenpeace -- last modified 23 September 2016

Over half of citizens in the European Union could be generating their own renewable electricity by 2050, according to new research released today.

The research outlines the potential for citizen-owned renewable energy projects in Europe, where 264 million "energy citizens" could generate 45% of the European Union's electricity needs by 2050 – as part of a democratised energy system.

Molly Walsh, community power campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, said: "This shows that people have the power to revolutionise Europe's energy system, reclaiming power from big energy companies, and putting the planet first. We need to enshrine the right for people to produce their own renewable energy in European and national legislation."

Tara Connolly, energy policy adviser for Greenpeace EU, said: "The EU should be clearing a path for forward-thinking, nimble energy citizens, not supporting big, polluting utilities. The age of energy dinosaurs is over."

Dirk Vansintjan, president of REScoop.eu, said: "Citizens are already playing a role in renewable energy projects across Europe – benefiting the local economy, as well as creating public support for the energy transition. Their potential is huge, and this research shows these projects could, and should, be the norm."

The organisations are calling for a framework to protect, support and promote energy citizens at the core of the European Commission's Energy Union package – specifically as part of the revised Renewable Energy Directive and the Market Design Initiative. This call is in line with President Juncker's wish for "the EU to become the world number one in renewable energies" and with the European Commission's vision of "an Energy Union with citizens at its core".

Greenpeace European Unit is part of the international Greenpeace network, active in over 55 countries worldwide and with more than three million supporters. Based in Brussels, it monitors and analyses the work of the EU institutions, exposes deficient EU policies and laws, and challenges EU decision-makers to implement progressive solutions.

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