Energy democracy emphasizes increased citizen participation and local control over energy governance, which takes a unique form in Sweden due to strong municipal influence and high institutional trust.
The researchers, Jenny Palm, Anna- Riikka Kojonsaari and Dick Magnusson, examine four case studies, including urban development initiatives and solar energy communities. The findings show that municipalities and MEUs often act as representatives of citizens' interests, bridging technical requirements with local needs. Urban development projects are characterized by a top-down approach with limited direct citizen involvement, whereas municipally-led energy communities reduce financial and technical barriers but tend to result in passive citizen participation.
The study underscores the need for a balanced strategy that combines representative governance with direct citizen engagement to enhance public involvement in the energy transition. The researchers also suggest that future studies should explore how different participatory approaches impact energy democracy and community resilience, particularly within governance frameworks dominated by the public sector.
Read the full article here: Toward energy democracy: Municipal energy actions in local renewable energy projects.
