Bullletin WWEA2016 01small

Quarterly Bulletin
Wi n d E n e r g y A r o u n d t h e Wo rl d
P14
Community Power:
benefits for society and outlook
in tendering systems
P22
Community Power for Common Good
P36
Community Energy in the UK, 2016:
The Beginning of the End?
ISSUE 1 March 2016
From The Editor
Dear Members and Friends of WWEA,

This special edition of our WWEA Quarterly Bulletin reflects the discussion of the international
symposium Tailwind and Headwind for Community Power - Regional and Global Community Wind
Perspectives, recently held in Bonn. More than 100 experts from 20 countries, representing all continents,
discussed the current status, barriers and future prospects of community wind.
The basis of the discussion was a survey amongst community wind CEOs - of which you can read
a summary in this Bulletin. Some of the most advanced countries, Denmark and Germany, have vast
experience with local wind farm investment. In such countries, this is a clear outcome of the symposium,
community wind plays an important role in raising social acceptance of wind farms. However, one of
the conclusions of the discussion and of the survey is also that community wind is currently facing major
difficulties, as policies are more and more favoring larger investors. As the global wind community, we must
be alert with regard to the impact of such developments on the social acceptance of new wind farms and
hence on the global prospects of wind power.
In general, the status of wind power in the world looks very bright when looking at the global
installation figures of the year 2015: The world installed more than 63 Gigawatt of new wind turbines,
reaching 435 Gigawatt of total capacity. China with an additional capacity of 33 Gigawatt has once again
demonstrated its exceptional role in renewable energy deployment. It is also a strong signal that the Paris
COP21 agreement has set an achievable target by aiming at phasing out fossil fuels by 2050.
With best wishes
Stefan Gsnger
Secretary General
World Wind Energy Association
Issue 1 March 2016
Published by
World Wind Energy Association (WWEA)
Produced by
Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA)
Editorial Committee
01 From the Editor
Editor-in-Chief: Stefan Gsnger

Associate Editor-in-Chief: Wu Gang
Shi Pengfei
Paul Gipe
Jami Hossain
Editors: Martina Bachvarova
Shane Mulligan
Yu Guiyong
Tristan Evans
Visual Design: Liu Zhan
Contact
Martina Bachvarova
mb@wwindea.org
News Analysis
06 The World Sets New Wind Installations Record:
63,7GW New Capacity in 2015
08 Paris Defines 100% Renewable Energy As the
New Normal
Community Wind Special

10 A study on Headwind and Tailwind for
Community Power Community Wind Perspectives
from North-Rhine Westphalia and the World
14 Community Power: benefits for society and
outlook in tendering systems
Tel. +49-228-369 40-80
22 Community Power for Common Good
Fax +49-228-369 40-84
28 Community Power in-line with 100% Renewable
WWEA Head Office
Energy the Next Challenge:Industry Integrated
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany
Productive RE Use -B100 Initiative
A detailed supplier listing and

other information can be found at
www.wwindea.org
Yu Guiyong
yugy@cwea.org.cn
Tel. +86-10-5979 6665
Fax +86-10-6422 8215
CWEA Secretariat
28 N. 3rd Ring Road E., Beijing, P. R. China
A detailed supplier listing and
other information can be found at
www.cwea.org.cn
2
30 Yansa: Community Power as Social Development

Driver
34 Start of A New Network for Community Power
Projects in North Rhine-Westphalia
36 Community Energy in the UK, 2016:The
Beginning of the End?
40 Community Power in Southern Europe:from a
Wind-workers Cooperative to a Wind Community
Project
44 The Energy Union
CALL FOR PAPERS:

1ST WORLD COMMUNITY POWE
3 NOVEMBER 2016
1st World Community Power Conference WCPC
One year after Paris five years after Fukushima: Community power for a renewable future!
3 November 2016 Fukushima City, Japan
A Global100%RE Event
hosted by
Institute for Sustainable
Energy Policies ISEP
Japan Community Power
Association JCPA
WWEA Community Power
in cooperation with the
City of Fukushima
Supported by:
ICLEI, ISES, REN21, World
Future Council, and more
Bonn/Tokyo/Fukushima, 11
have agreed to switch the global energy
March 2016 WWEA Community
supply to greenhouse gas neutrality
Power, ISEP and JCPA cordially invite
by 2050, meaning in fact 100%
the world of community power to
renewable energy. WCPC happens on
attend the 1st World Community
the occasion of the fifth anniversary of
Power Conference 2016 taking place
the Fukushima nuclear accident and of
in Fukushima City on the invitation of
the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl
the Mayor of the City of Fukushima.
nuclear accident.
WCPC aims at bring leading community
Community Power is usually
power proponents from Japan and the
defined as renewable energy
world together in order to discuss the
installations initiated, operated
role community power has to play in
and controlled by local citizens.
the global shift towards renewable
Community power has a proven very
energy. WCPC will also discuss a global
positive impact on deployment rates
community power strategy and its
of renewable energy and increases
national and local implications.
the economic benefits of renewable
WCPC will take place on the

occasion of the first anniversary of
energies.
Stefan Gsnger, WWEA Secretary
the Paris climate change agreement
General: Community Power has been
in which all governments of the world
widely recognized as a major driver
ER CONFERENCE, FUKUSHIMA,
of the global shift towards a 100%
of WWEC2016 is Concentrating efforts
renewable energy supply. Thanks
for wind power growth in Japan and
to the decentralized character of
worldwide.
renewable energy, communities are

key actors in the new energy supply
and communities around the world
have started taking the energy supply
in their own hands. The event at
Abstracts are invited on the

following topics:
1. Community power around the
world and all over Japan
2. Local/National renewable
the symbolic location of Fukushima
energy policies supporting community
intends to give a boost to the close
power
global cooperation of community
3. Community power business
power groups around the world and
models in developing and in
make community power part of the
industrialized countries
mainstream energy supply.

Dr. Tetsu Iida, ISEP Chairperson:
Along with explosive growth of
renewable energy last decade, and
structural change in energy supply
4. Financing community cower
Conference language:
in developing and in industrialized
English and Japanese
countries
Contact:
5. Climate issue and community

power
WWEA Head Office

Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5, 53113 Bonn,
and demand, community power and
6. Nuclear and community power
Germany
democratic process for development are
7. International, regional and local
Phone: +49-228-369 40-80
playing more and more a key role for

the process towards a 100% renewable
energy future. This very first World
Community Power Conference held in
networking
8. Democracy and community
power
All abstracts should be written
Fax: +49-228-369 40-84

community@wwindea.org
Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
(ISEP)
Fukushima after the 5th year anniversary
in English, be concise and clearly state
4-7-3 Nakano, Nakano, Tokyo, 164-
of the disaster will be and must be a
results, objectives or key components
0001, Japan
historical signal for the future.
of the paper. They should not exceed
Phone: +81-3-5942-8937
500 words and should contain a list
Fax: +81-3-5942-8938
with and directly after the 15th World
of key words. Abstracts should be
Websites:
Wind Energy Conference WWEC2016
submitted before 31 May 2016 to:
www.wind.community
which will be held from 31 October
community@wwindea.org
www.wwindea.org
WCPC takes place in connection
to 1 November in Tokyo (www.

wwec2016tokyo.com). The main theme
The programme is to be published

in early July 2016.
www.isep.or.jp
www.communitypower.jp
News Analysis
ISSUE 1 June 2016
The World Sets New Wind

Installations Record:
63,7GW New Capacity in 2015

According to preliminary figures, the world has seen a new record in new wind installations, adding
63690 MW within the year 2015. The total wind capacity of the world has reached 435 GW.
The global growth rate of 17,2 % was higher than
The US market saw good performance with 8,6 GW
in 2014 (16,4 %). Amongst the top 15 markets, Brazil,
of added capacity, the strongest growth since 2012. Low
Poland, China and Turkey were the most dynamic
fossil fuel prices had no negative impact on the wind
countries and saw the strongest growth rates.
sector.
China has once more underpinned its role as the
Germany, in anticipation of changes in legislation,
global wind power leader, adding 33 GW of new capacity.
installed 4,9 GW. Wind power contributed a new record of
This represents a market share of 51,8 %.
13% of the countrys power demand in 2015.
News Analysis
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Like a year ago, Brazil was the fourth largest market
several weeks after the groundbreaking Paris climate
for new turbines with a market volume of 2,8 GW. It is the
agreement, we are proud to announce that the wind
first major Latin America wind market.
community is ready to contribute its part to implementing
India saw 2,3 GW of new installations by November
a 100 % renewable energy and hence greenhouse gas
2015, enough to bypass Spain as fourth largest market in
neutral future. The new record proves what can be done
terms of total capacity.
and even faster growth would be possible given the
While Canada performed well and Poland and Turkey
right policies are in place. Unfortunately we have to warn
both even climbed in the global rankings, Spain was a
especially several European governments that they are
great disappointment with 0 MW added capacity. No
about to put their leading roles in the renewable energy
country which had previously a leading role ever saw such
sectors on risk.
complete standstill.
Bonn, 10 February 2016 (WWEA)
Stefan Gsnger, WWEA Secretary General: Just
News Analysis
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Paris Defines
100% Renewable Energy

As the New Normal
By Stefan Gsnger, WWEA Secretary General
Article 2, Parties aim to reach global
I am very happy to say. Several
Conference COP21 ended last weekend
The UN Climate Change
peaking of greenhouse gas emissions
important steps have be taken since
with 195 governments agreeing on
as soon as possible, recognizing that
then:
a new climate treaty, and this Paris
peaking will take longer for developing
agreement is a big breakthrough!
country Parties, and to undertake
partners representing all the major
The agreement itself is indeed not
rapid reductions thereafter in
renewable energy technologies, we
detailed, includes no clear figures on
accordance with best available science,
have been able to demonstrate also
limiting greenhouse gas emissions, no
so as to achieve a balance between
during our well attended COP side
strong legal commitments on how to
anthropogenic emissions by sources
events that a 100% renewable energy
act. Hence my assessment is based on
and removals by sinks of greenhouse
supply is technically feasible, even at
reasons different from other colleagues
gases in the second half of this century,
a lower average cost than business as
such as some climate experts, who
on the basis of equity, and in the
usual.
might be less enthusiastic. However,
context of sustainable development
what makes me so confident is the fact
and efforts to eradicate poverty.
Together with our REN Alliance
Most of the environmental NGOs

agreed already last year (not earlier!)
that Paris has started a fundamental
Of course we, like many of our
paradigm shift, away from the failed
friends and allies in the renewables
goal. Earlier this year, the G7 leaders
Kyoto protocol with its failed goal to
community, in the REN Alliance and
agreed on decarbonizing the energy
set up a globally binding emission limit
beyond, would have preferred to
supply within this century. This
through carbon cap & trade systems.
see a clear commitment to a 100%
September, Greenpeace came out
renewable energy future. There has
with its first global 100% Energy (R)
agreed, and this is a kind of miracle
been remarkable progress towards this
evolution scenario, a very detailed and
in itself, on achieving greenhouse-gas
goal within less than three years: our
scientifically sound report which has
neutrality by 2050. The important text
Global100%RE campaign has initiated
had deep impact on the international
can be found in Art. 4:
a broad and global discussion about
energy debate. As part of the Global
whether and how a 100% renewable
100%RE campaign, a global 100%
energy supply is feasible worldwide,
cities network was presented during
In Paris, all 195 governments
1.
In order to achieve the long-
term temperature goal set out in
on the global 100% renewable energy
News Analysis
ISSUE 1 June 2016
the COP21, in cooperation with ICLEI,
both technologies characterized
right away: we, the renewable energy
with mayors from various cities
by astronomically high cost and
community, must ensure that the
on all continents committing their
unpredictable risk.
global transition towards 100%
municipalities to go for a renewable
With this in mind, I am very
renewable energy starts now, without
energy future. Others have been
confident that simply due to their
delay, and without getting too much
following the Global100%REs main
emission-free nature and the costing
distracted by the predictable efforts
goals without explicit reference to it,
development, renewables will be the
of the nuclear and clean coal lobbies
including e.g. RE100, a group of large
new benchmark, the new normal
to increase their shares and to water
international corporations adopting
when it comes to energy investment.
down the 100% renewable energy
100 % renewable targets for their
This is the paradigm shift we have
target.
companies.
been working for, and now it is
All this paved the way, so that
One major task for the renewable
even part of the official UN climate
energy community will hence be
more and more governments agreed
change agreement, supported by all
to monitor the process launched in
on 100% renewable energy as well.
governments of the world. In other
Paris: to become a watchdog that
Actually the vast majority of the
words: Paris has in fact defined 100%
governments are actually acting and
worlds governments would have liked
renewable energies as the achievable,
implementing renewable energy fast,
to include such target in Paris in the
the new normal!
and that renewables are deployed in
final text. However, UN conferences
With this, for the very first time
a way which ensures that they can
require consensus, and, as expected,
the UN climate change mitigation
maximize the benefits for all citizens
there was strong resistance from
efforts are on the right track, away
of the world, in the industrialized
influential groups against such clear
from negotiations about burden-
countries but perhaps even more
goal, so that as a first compromise the
sharing and reduction, but instead now
so in those regions where there is
term decarbonization was suggested.
focusing on progress in implementing
an urgent need to eradicate poverty
Even this found strong resistance, so
new, renewable energy technologies
once and forever. The abundance of
that the final and adopted compromise
as a key component of the economic
renewable energy in all regions and
is, as mentioned, a greenhouse-gas
and practical path to curtailing carbon
in all the different forms provides
neutral energy supply. This overall
emissions. This will also fundamentally
hope for all humans, regardless their
goal leaves of course still room,
change the character of future UN
current socioeconomic status, to
probably more a tiny niche, for nuclear
climate change conferences, which will
have, whenever needed, abundant
power and also for obviously obsolete
gain a far more positive and productive
energy available, the driving force for
technologies such as clean coal
spirit.
economic growth and prosperity.
through carbon capture and storage
Of course the real work begins
Photo: Chen Yanan
ISSUE 1 June 2016
A study on
Headwind and Tailwind for
Community Power
Community Wind Perspectives from

North-Rhine Westphalia and the World
WWEA and the Renewable
cross-roads. On the one hand, it holds
marked the biggest global commitment
Energy Association of the largest
vast potential for the energy transition
to the uptake of renewable energy
German state North-Rhine Westfalia,
from a carbon-based (and, to a lesser
technologies (RETs) in history; 195
LEE NRW, conducted recently a
degree, nuclear) energy regime
nations agreed to reach greenhouse
study on the current status, main
towards a democratic, decentralised,
gas neutrality by the year 2050, a goal
drivers and barriers of community
emission-free, and truly sustainable
only achievable through a rapid phase-
based wind farms in the state. CEOs
energy system. Moreover, Community
out of fossil fuels and transition toward
of community wind farms and other
Wind bring high levels of much needed
a fully renewable energy supply.
experts answered questions on
acceptance and contributes to local
The chosen terminology still leaves
community wind. The results of the
added value. On the other hand, the
opportunity for nuclear power, and
study were presented and discussed
upcoming auctions are expected to
fossil fuel energy in combination with
during the International Community
put a strong competitive disadvantage
carbon capture and storage. However,
Power Symposium in Bonn on 26
upon Community Wind projects. As
historically low levelised costs of
January 2016 and the final report was
a result, the externalization of wind
energy and a slowly reconciling playing
published in March 2016. A summary
power acceptance costs could have
field allow for a simple and beautiful
of the final report is included here, the
drastic effects both on the further
conclusion: Renewables are the new
following pages include summaries of
dissemination of Community Wind
normal, and any other solution needs
speeches held during the symposium.
projects and the outcome of the
to be justified. Now the question comes
German Energiewende.
to the fore of how to realize a socially,
Community Wind in North-Rhine

Westphalia (NRW) and Germany is at
10
environmentally, and economically just

The 2015 Paris agreement
transition towards a 100% renewable
ISSUE 1 June 2016
energy system. Such a transition has to

meet the needs of, and find acceptance
among the people who produce and
consume renewable energy.
Local benefits,
social acceptance
To date, Community Wind
by the Renewable Energy Sources

Act (EEG). Other drivers comprise
the current wind-energy-friendly
state government of NRW, regional/
remains an elusive concept that is
municipal renewable energy initiatives,
neither legally nor politically defined
voluntary Community Wind standards,
in NRW (or in Germany). However,
as well as regulatory guidelines aiming
Community Wind is regarded as a form
on the simplification of planning/
One pertinent option is the
of wind energy deployment which
permission procedures.
concept of Community Power, which is
entails many beneficial social and
based on the idea of local ownership
economic effects, most importantly as
of RETs. The three main criteria that
a means of enhancing local acceptance
differentiate a Community Power
and local added value.
Definition of
community wind
On the other hand, rising
project from conventional RET

deployment are local shareholding
(> 50%), local control and decisionmaking power related to the
project, and the local distribution
Detrimental
factors
Importance of
feed-in tariff
The single most important
complexity, high land leases offered

by commercial wind developers,
opposition from wildlife and nature
conservation associations and a
of the social and economic benefits
driver of Community Wind can be
perceived decline of societal interest
generated through the project.
attributed to the guaranteed feed-in
in RETs are said to impede the
(These criteria were determined
tariff introduced on the federal level
deployment of Community Wind.
by the WWEA Community Working

Group, comprising experts from all
continents). Community Wind is one
of technology-specific subtypes of
Community Power.
The study
The WWEA Community Power
Strategies project aimed to identify
favourable framework conditions for
Community Power on a global scale.
In this broader frame, a regional case
study on Community Wind in NRW
was conducted. Based on expert
interviews with CEOs of Community
Wind projects and Community Wind
facilitators, and an online survey
addressed to a broader Community
Wind stakeholder base, the following
conclusions have been drawn:
11
In addition, the upcoming auctions
ISSUE 1 June 2016
The cornerstones of the upcoming
of Community Wind projects would
for onshore wind are expected to
auction design are said to put
not be possible any more. The
entail tremendous impediments for
Community Wind projects at a strong
recently proposed February 2016
Community Wind deployment in NRW
competitive disadvantage, meaning
simplified qualification requirements
and Germany.
independent bottom-up development
for Community Wind projects can

be considered as a first step into the
right direction. However, those project
proponents still have to compete
against more experienced market
players with a higher competitive
advantage.
Future business
models for
community wind
groups
A catalogue of attractive future
business and additional market
activities for Community Wind projects
includes repowering activities, regional
electricity tariffs, storage, e-mobility
and energy efficiency. However, the
changing regulatory framework
conditions do not allow for a broad
based diffusion of those business
lines, except for some trailblazer
projects of experienced Community
Wind implementers. Community Wind
networks, information platforms and
associations are considered to be
crucial mediums for the diffusion of
the Community Wind concepts and
their innovative business lines.
The full report is available on
the WWEA website: www.wind.
community
12
ISSUE 1 June 2016
13
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community Power:
benefits for society and outlook in

tendering systems
By Katherina Grashof, IZES gGmbH
Introduction
of community energy has been

compiled. This is why, in 2015, the
tariffs to tendering schemes. 1

The study uses the notion of
With the rise of renewable
cooperative Greenpeace Energy eG
community energy (Brgerenergie
energy to generate electric power in
and the association for community
in German, with Brger being
many countries, not only a change
energy Bndnis Brgerenergie e.V.
best translated to English with
in technological infrastructure
have commissioned the Institute
citizen) developed in an earlier
takes place, but often also a shift
for Future Energy Systems (Institut
study for the Bndnis Brgerenergie
in the actors who plan and operate
fr ZukunftsEnergieSysteme, IZES
(Leuphana/Trend:research 2013). It
the new power plants. This can be
gGmbH) to assemble and systematise
distinguishes a narrower and broader
explained by reasons such as the
the beneficial effects of community
understanding of community energy,
initial reluctance of incumbent
energy (Hauser et al 2015). The study
depending on the equity share of an
utilities to invest in renewable
began with a scan of the international
energy project held by citizens and
energy production, as well as the
scientific and grey literature in the
on the degree to which these citizens
smaller generating capacities of many
field, and complemented it with
live near to the location of the
renewable technologies that go hand
up-to date insights gathered in 24
corresponding plant(s). Accordingly,
in hand with much lower investment
interviews with scientific experts
a power plant owned entirely by its
costs per generating unit compared
and experienced practitioners in
immediate neighbours represents
with conventional power plants.
Germany. This article summarizes
a community energy project in
There is a large amount
the main results of the study and
the strictest sense, but also other
of (scientific) literature on the
subsequently gives a short outlook
constellations fall under this notion.
preconditions for community energy
on the chances and preconditions for
It should be noted that this definition
projects, yet so far, no concise
community wind energy projects in
does not include projects that have
overview of the beneficial effects
countries moving from fixed feed-in
merely been consulted with the local
1 The results of the study have also been presented at the Symposium Tailwind and Headwind for Community Power Regional and Global Community Wind
Perspectives, organized by WWEA the 26.01.2016 in Bonn. The presentation can be downloaded here: http://www.wwindea.org/presentations-internationalsymposium-on-community-power/
14
ISSUE 1 June 2016
or regional population, but only
higher short-term marginal costs
those where local citizens hold at
of power generation for smaller
and distributive outcomes of the
least some share of ownership in the
generation units which are more
projects and trust among actors.
plants.
typical for community power projects.
This refers to procedures that do
Whereas a number of energy
Fairness in procedures
This is, however, a general reflection
not only provide information and
generating technologies and
and applies to all actors realising
consultation on a planned project, but
infrastructures can be realised with
smaller projects, and not specifically
give neighbours a vote in decisions
local ownership, our study focused
to community energy.
about the concrete planning and
on projects using renewable energy

sources (RES), as to date there is only
the distribution of its (monetary)

Societal effects
limited literature and data on e.g.

the benefits of community energy
efficiency projects for a country.
Beneficial effects
of community
energy
To allow for a systematic
account of beneficial effects of
community energy, the study
differentiates between the impacts
on the energy system of a country,
on its economy and on the societal
level. An even broader assessment,
of course, would result if negative
effects of community energy on these
three levels would also be taken into
account. This was not possible in this
study, and accordingly needs to be
pointed out. Without having studied
these aspects in depth, however, it
can be said here that the authors are
not aware of specific negative effects
of a realisation of RES projects by
community actors (as opposed to a
realisation by other actors) to the
energy sector, the economic sector or
the larger society of a country with
maybe one exemption: Economies
of scale do exist for several energy
technologies, and they may entail
costs and benefits among potential

stakeholders. The high transparency
Societal effects are mentioned
associated with such procedures
most often when talking about the
also enables the perception of
benefits of community energy, which
fairness and trust to rise among
is why it will be treated first here. The
actors (Walker et al 2010). This is
fact that community energy can have
especially relevant in cases where
a significant positive impact on the
communities do not just purchase a
acceptance of RES projects has been
RES plant after it started operations
clearly detected in empirical studies
from a professional project developer,
(Gross 2007; Maruyama, Nishikido
but also take responsibility for the
& Iida 2007; Musall/Kuik 2011).
entire planning process beforehand.
Several factors are known to enhance
When the procedures are commonly
the local and general acceptance
understood as fair, both the relevant
of power generation plants (or
actors and the results of their actions
other larger infrastructures like the
the realised power plant can win
extension of electricity grids), many
significant democratic legitimacy,
of which are present in community
which in turn is an important factor
energy projects. In some cases, they
for acceptance. Studies indicate
can represent both preconditions
that actors and projects of local
for new RES projects, as well as the
enterprises benefit from higher
outcome of such projects. These
acceptance than those of entirely
factors include:
foreign firms. This is because the
An understanding that new
latter enjoy less confidence from the
RES energy projects are necessary for
local population, who ascribe purely
transitioning to a low-carbon energy
economic motives and an exclusive
system. The high level of discussion in
pursuit of profit to these actors, and
groups of potential future owners and
little regard to the interests of the
neighbours of a planned RES project,
local community (Hildebrand, Rau &
which is typical for community power
Schweizer-Ries 2012).
projects, provides for a setting that
Emotional identification
enhances such an understanding
with the planned power project and
(Renn 2014).
the experience of self-efficacy (Renn
15
ISSUE 1 June 2016
2014). Planning a renewable energy
organized projects may in the process
firms, in contrast, quantify their
plant often involves a longer process
feel empowered to start other kind of
efforts and set up detailed (monetary)
of shared decision-making and
(volunteer) activities for the common
cost-benefit balances that need to be
overcoming obstacles. Accordingly,
good, to the benefit of a democratic
clearly positive in order for a project
once successfully realised, community
society at a larger level.
to be worth realizing. Additionally,
energy plants often benefit from a
Often, community energy
certain transaction costs do not occur
strong emotional identification of its
projects become part of the local
in many community energy projects.
initiators and owners.
identity, and as such, can contribute
This applies to the costs of searching
to the positive development of the
for an optimal location for the plant,
especially when already planned
municipality. E.g. several German
when there is already an obvious
in a cooperative manner display an
villages have come to name
location available at low or zero costs
important characteristic of a modern
themselves bio energy villages
of negotiation: the roof of the local
concept of public participation,
(Bioenergiedrfer), showing clearly
school, unused land at a farm for a
moving away from an understanding
that the local bio energy projects
bio energy plant, or the land owned
of decide, announce and defend
have become part of the local identity
by a group of people who want to set
towards announce, provide an
(Renn 2014, Wste et al 2011). This
up some wind turbines.
opportunity to discuss and decide
identification becomes especially
With regard to wind energy,
(Sander 2011).
relevant in rural areas, which are
some specific aspects need to be
subject to a loss of population. Here
mentioned. First, in regions with
the (re-) appropriation of public
good wind conditions and an already
effects need to be mentioned that go
spaces e.g. by realising RES projects
ample experience with wind energy,
beyond impacts on the feasibility of
in schools or other public buildings
private land owners are often aware
an energy transition.
can enhance a sense of belonging to
of the economic potential of their
that municipality (Moser 2013).
ground for new wind projects,
Community energy projects
Three more general societal
involve citizens into sustainable

economic processes. This is necessary
and the knowledge of how to plan

Effects on the energy system
when pursuing a more sustainable

economy in general, but can also
new projects is locally available.

Interviews showed that here, foreign
Several kinds of RES plants are
planners or investors have little
have very specific aspects. In regions
usually only realized in community
chances to realize new wind turbines,
with declining industries (e.g. coal
energy projects, e.g. smaller
especially if they do not provide the
mining), workers know their jobs will
photovoltaic (PV) plants on roof-
opportunities to engage the local
not be there forever. So it is important
tops, bio energy plants realized
population in shared decision-making
to actively involve citizens and
by (groups of ) farmers, or certain
with regard to project planning or
employees in the creation of more
kinds of wind projects. This may
provide some local distribution of the
sustainable economic processes.
largely be explained by the necessary
revenues of the power sold from the
transaction costs for setting up a
plant (Grashof et al 2015). Second,
incubation rooms for newly activated
power generation plant: Community
in regions with less-than optimal
citizens in general: Community
energy projects involve a lot of
conditions, the costs to acquire the
energy projects are often initiated
unmeasured work undertaken by
permission to use a sufficiently large
by people with previous experience
private actors (often on a voluntary
area for a profitable wind park can
in the field. However, people with
basis and besides a regular
be prohibitively high when land-
no previous experiences in self-
professional activity). Commercial
ownership is fragmented and many
16
Community energy creates
ISSUE 1 June 2016
owners need to be convinced. Here,
total demand if a specific supplier
owned by institutional and strategic
the interconnectedness of local land-
withdraws his entire capacity. If
investors. Only 9 GW belonged
owners may speed up decisions
not, this supplier can be considered
to energy utilities (Leuphana/
significantly in cases of community
pivotal, having the potential to
Trend:research 2013, 42).
energy projects. Third, explicit local
significantly control the market.
political preferences may favour
The results showed a high degree
community energy projects, e.g. when
of market concentration. In 2007
local authorities or councils signal to
(2008), RWE had a dominant position
foreign planners or investors that
in 94 % (74%) of the hours of the
often lead to a higher degree of
communal consent for the plant will
year, E.on in 72 % (51%) of the hours;
added regional income than projects
be easier if some degree of public
the corresponding values for the
realised by actors who are active
participation is granted, e.g. by
other two utilities were: Vattenfall
on a larger regional or national
reserving a part of a planned wind
55% (31%) and EnBW 49% (26%)
level. This refers to taxes being paid
park for future ownership by local
(Bundeskartellamt 2011, 105). For
locally and income from labour,
citizens.
the year 2012, the German monopoly
equity capital, and the lease of land.
commission updated this assessment
So far, no specific assessment of the
community energy projects on
and found RWE and E.on to have a
community energy share of regional
the larger energy system refers to
dominant position in below 1% of the
income of RES projects has been
market concentration and actor
hours of the year, and Vattenfall and
carried out. However, an exemplary
diversity. Germany can be taken as
EnBW not at all (Monopolkommission
approximation can be obtained by
a vivid example of this. Before the
2013, 81).
determining the level of regional
A second major effect of
liberalization of the electricity market
This can be attributed largely
Economic effects
income achieved from the capacity
in the 1990ies, the predecessors
to the increase of community RES
of community energy RES projects
of todays four largest German
projects, since utilities have only
installed in Germany to date. This
utilities RWE, E.on, Vattenfall and
recently begun to realize relevant
same approach can also be used to
EnBW dominated power generation
capacities of RES. Of the total 73 GW
determine the number of jobs created
to a very high degree, and the
of RES capacity installed in Germany
2
by community energy. The following
liberalization itself (introducing the
in 2012, 34 GW were community
table builds on data in Universitt
freedom to choose their supplier
projects in a narrower or broader
Kassel et al (2011) and IW (2011)
to all power consumers) did little
sense, and an additional 30 GW were
and shows the amount of added
to change this. Almost a decade

after the liberalization, the German
cartel office analysed the degree
of market concentration, using the
residual supply index (RSI). This
index determines (on an hourly
basis) whether there would be
Community energy in a
narrower sense
Community energy in a
broader sense
Added regional income in 2012
Added jobs in 2012
340 680 million
6 9 thousand
700 1400 million
12 19 thousand
Source: Hauser et al 2015, 61f.
sufficient capacity available to cover
2 To account for a representative picture, of course, negative effects on regional income and jobs would need to be taken into account. However, here are strong
methodological challenges: Not the income and jobs lost because of e.g. a reduced production of conventional power due to the increase of RES capacity would
need to be quantified but only the income and jobs lost because these RES projects were realized by specific actors.
17
regional income and jobs that can

be attributed to community energy
in 2012, both from investments in
new plants in 2012, as well as from
the operation of plants that had
started operations in earlier years.
To account for the empirical variance
in important factors influencing the
outcome, the results show the spread
of plausible results.
Another beneficial effect of
community energy relates to tourism.
While wind energy opponents often
fear for the attractiveness of their
region should wind turbines be
installed there, several communities
report an increase in visitors due
to their activities. The community
of Saerbeck in North RhineWestphalia, for instance, aims to
reduce its CO2 emissions to zero
and, together with the local energy
cooperative, has installed wind, PV,
hydro, bioenergy and co-generation
plants. The plant installations have
been complemented by educational
material and the community has
received over 40.000 visitors between
2011 and 2015 (Wallraven 2016). A
renewable energy tourist guide for
Germany (Frey 2016) shows many
other examples of community energy
projects attracting high numbers of
visitors, e.g. the towns of Wolfhagen
in Hesse or Dardesheim in SaxonyAnhalt.
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Outlook on
the future of
community energy
in tendering
systems
After having given an overview
on the beneficial effects of community
RES projects, this article will finish
with an outlook on the chances
of community energy projects in
countries that determine the level of
state-organised remuneration for RES
power using tendering schemes, with
a specific focus on Germany.
According to the survey
undertaken in Leuphana/
Trend:reseach (2013), 50% of the
installed wind energy capacity in
2012 can be attributed to community
energy in a broader sense, and half of
this share to community energy in the
narrower definition (see above). The
consultancy Deutsche WindGuard
(2015) asked project developers,
turbine manufacturers and banks for
an assessment of different actors
shares in newly installed wind
capacity from 2012 to 2014. 15 16%
of the new capacity in that period was
attributed community wind projects
(and those realised by farmers) when
taking into account the planning
phase. If looking at the operational
phase (thus also including wind
projects bought by energy community
groups after operation start), their

share rises to 16 to 20% of the newly
installed capacity.
Reflecting the impact of
community energy on the acceptance
of RES, the German parliament
decided to move its support system
towards tendering in a manner
that preserves the (current) actor
diversity . 3 This needs to be actively
integrated into the design of the
planned auctions, as experiences of
RES tendering schemes have shown
a consistent tendency to market
concentration among the winners
auf such auctions (see Hauser,
Kochems and Grashof, forthcoming;
Hauser/Kochems 2014; Hauser et al
2014). To give two examples: in the
tendering scheme implemented in
Great Britain in the 1990ies, mainly
subsidiaries of established utilities
were established as winners. And in
the course of the RES auctions held in
South Africa since 2011, the degree of
market concentration has increased
significantly: The main winners are
large project developers partly owned
by international corporate companies
from the energy or mining sector.
These results are consistent
with theoretical expectations,
because tendering schemes for
wind energy remuneration usually
introduce significant risks for project
planners: Regulators often require
that projects are in an advanced
3 Section 2, subsection 5 of the renewable energy law (EEG) of 2014 states: Financial support and the level of such support is to be determined by auctions for
electricity from renewable energy sources and from mine gas by 2017 at the latest. To this end, experience with competition-based determining of the level of
financial support will be gathered, initially with electricity from ground-mounted installations. In the course of the move to auctions, the diversity of players
involved in generating electricity from renewable energy sources is to be retained (Clearingstelle EEG, unofficial translation, to be found at https://www.
clearingstelle-eeg.de/files/node/8/EEG_2014_Englische_Version.pdf)
18
ISSUE 1 June 2016
planning stage before they can be
of other factors such as the costs of
bid in order to ensure that successful
grid access. Especially smaller actors
association of energy cooperatives
bids effectively lead to new capacity
with little overview on the national
(DGRV) and the energy cooperative
built on time. Accordingly, the rather
wind sector can be expected to be
Greenpeace Energy that was co-
large preparation costs up to this
at a disadvantage when estimating
developed by the author of this article
stage need to be invested by project
the chances of winning in an auction
takes into account the requirements
planners without knowing if and
with their bid due to the uncertainty
set up by the ministry, which may
at what level remuneration can be
regarding the price level and capacity
also be relevant in other countries.
secured in the auctions. The potential
of competing bids.
It includes the following guidelines
loss of preparation costs in case of
For small actors with (very)
A proposal by the German
to allow for future community wind
unsuccessful bids can be borne much
small project portfolios, this
energy projects after the general
more easily by larger companies who
seems to lead to a significant
transition to wind tenders in Germany
can spread this risk across a number
deterrence effect to participate in
(DGRV/GPe 2016):
of projects. Community energy plants,
auctions. Many community energy
in contrast, are often unique projects,
practitioners interviewed by the
community energy projects should
without any possibility to spread
author argued that the high risk of
not need to participate in the
sunk costs across other activities.
sunk costs (and commitment) in
auctions themselves. However, the
the case of unsuccessful bids might
remuneration may be determined
German Onshore Wind Energy Agency
already prevent the collection of
in auctions among the larger
(FA Wind) analysed whether specific
sufficient equity capital to start the
actors and then be transferred to
actors might have a disadvantage
development of new wind energy
those community energy projects
in wind energy auctioning schemes
projects.
that consider this remuneration
A survey carried out for the
(Grashof et al 2015). The results

were:
Many representatives of
Actors developing
sufficient (so called non-competitive
community wind energy argue that
bidding). If this price transfer is
their projects ought to be exempted
allowed within a limited period
smaller actors are not significantly
from the obligation to participate in
after the corresponding auction,
smaller than those of larger actors;
auctions, but should be remunerated
the community energy project
and they also usually do not need
on the basis of a (predictable) tariff,
developers may re-negotiate terms
higher remuneration per kWh.
as was mostly the case with the
with land-owners, lenders or turbine
German renewable energy law so far.
manufacturers, most of which often
capital and the fact that typically
In its key points for the upcoming
have a strong negotiating power vis-
not more than one wind energy
amendment of the renewable energy
-vis small actors.
project is pursued at a time results
law (BMWi 2016), the German
in a systematic disadvantage to
Ministry for Economic Affairs and
results should be done in a project
bear the risk of sunk costs in case of
Energy acknowledges the specific
development stage that enables
unsuccessful bids in the auctions.
disadvantages of community energy
community energy planners to know
Projects developed by
The low level of equity
This transfer of auction
and small actors. Special rules for
the future remuneration for a specific
of wind energy projects, and
these actors, however, shall be kept
project before they collect equity
accordingly, the level of necessary
at a minimum to prevent impacts on
capital to start spending the larger
remuneration, vary strongly all over
the remainder of the wind auctioning
share of development costs (e.g. for
the country - not only depending on
system; this excludes a general
the permission of the plant).
wind conditions but also on a number
exemption from the auctions.
Costs and power production
Securities to be deposited
19
ISSUE 1 June 2016
for affirming the serious intention
deterring these actors to start new
for the larger energy transition,
to build the project (on time) ought
projects.
especially in times of growing
to be kept at a minimum for these
Finally, the volume of
actors in the early stage of project
capacity not auctioned but reserved
development so as not to introduce
for such projects should reflect the
additional risks of penalties, further
advantages of community energy
opposition and legal complaints

against new wind turbines.
Reference
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Energiewende. Berlin
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135-151.
Photo: Yang Gang
21
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community Power for

Common Good
By Preben Maegaard and Leire Gorroo
ENERGY
DEMOCRACY
in a democratic way to ensure

local community support and the
of renewable energies.
Onshore wind energy is the
maximisation of local benefits. This
cheapest renewable source for
article presents a refocus of the current
electricity production (after large
fast. In 2013 worldwide 58% of new
energy system in favour of citizens,
hydro) today. Onshore wind turbines
power generation capacity came
local communities and environmental
already play an essential role in the
from the renewables. Technological
protection. To achieve a quantum
cost optimization of the transition
development and support strategies
leap in renewable energy, which is
to a low carbon energy system. They
have advanced promising solutions.
imperative to solve climate change,
are often cheaper than fossil-fuel
However, to continue sustained growth
we need renewable energy ownership
technologies for electricity production
it is imperative to develop community-
models that favour local communities.
and in many locations no longer
Renewable energy is growing
focused organisational and support

structures. Profit-driven development
can be a workable procedure in the
pioneering stage of implementation,
but for achieving a long-lasting
renewable energy society, local
require subsidies to ensure investment
LOWER
ELECTRICITY
PRICES
Electricity prices ought to be
residents must be the foundational
affordable for consumers from
focus of renewable energy projects.
households to industry. In principle,
Communities that live nearby
fluctuating renewable energy sources
wind turbines and other renewable
such as wind power can lead to lower
energy projects too often have been
spot market prices. However, cost
left apart and their needs and interests
reductions not always are reflected in
have been neglected to maximise the
consumers bills as renewable energy
benefits of investors sometimes
development often is supported by
even when projects are part of local
subsidies that are ultimately paid by
cooperatives leading to strong local
all consumers. Broad international
opposition to renewable energy.
agreement for a world fully powered
It is time to start developing

all renewable energy projects
22
by renewable energy remains stalled

due to the artificially created high cost
profitability.
Furthermore, the costs of
electricity produced by onshore
wind turbines can be lowered
even further through community
ownership approaches that can
require lower land payments than
private investments. Other profitable
community examples are emerging
where different renewable energy
sources are combined with storage
solutions to address resource
variability while ensuring reliability
and diverse valuable energy services
at low-costs (e.g. wind combined with
local combined heat and power, CHP,
for district heating in Denmark).
ISSUE 1 June 2016
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Often when we speak about
renewable energy projects supporting
local development we refer to the
creation of new jobs (usually related to
the construction and maintenance of
the installations) or, less frequently, to
economic benefits for shareholders of
Denmark shows (for details see case).
the past but recent projects have been
Strong local support of community
fully accepted by the same residents
ownership models is essential for the
that opposed them even though the
growth of renewable energy to its full
new wind projects use bigger machines
potential worldwide.
on the same location and have similar

technical characteristics to those wind
LOCAL
ACCEPTANCE
Most people realise the liabilities
projects that were originally rejected.

The key to addressing opposition
and increasing community support is
local ownership of wind turbines and
local cooperatives. However, renewable
of climate change are vast and
other renewable energy initiatives
energy projects can do much more
therefore are supportive of renewable
using a development approach that
for the development of the local
energy solutions including wind
clearly shares the benefits of projects
communities where they are installed.
power which in Denmark enjoys the
throughout the local community.
Practical experience shows
general support of more than 80% of
that wind projects can support local
the population. However, at the local
by different ownership models,
development when appropriate
level a growing movement refuses to
which lead to vastly different results.
ownership models are applied.
have large wind turbines near their
Currently various definitions of
Community ownership models reinvest
homes. In many areas around the
community ownership are being
the income generated from selling
world local protests (in Denmark we
used around the world. In this article,
renewable energy to satisfy the needs
find more 200 local protest groups) are
community ownership is focused
of local communities e.g. through
preventing the development of many
on the objective of using the income
improvement of infrastructure,
onshore wind power projects, which
generated by renewable energy
creation of new jobs, energy
ensures that fossil fuels continue to be
projects to benefit the residents
renovation of public buildings, support
combusted allowing climate change to
of local communities, i.e. the main
to local associations, to address limited
grow or wind power being installed
objective is achieving the common
energy access, to provide support for
offshore at kWh costs more than
good. In contrast, the main objective
local organisations, for environmental
double compared to onshore wind
of commercial ownership models is to
projects, local public e-transport,
energy.
generate private profit.
etc. In short, to provide benefits
Many local residents opposing
Wind projects can be developed
According to those definitions,
not just for a few investors but for
wind turbines cite impacts in their
for-profit companies including
everybody in the community so they
surrounding environment as a
local cooperatives (guilds) are
can all see renewable energy as a local
reason to stop renewable energy
categorised as commercial owners,
improvement.
projects. However, evidence shows
whereas non-profit local cooperatives,
that arguments based in aesthetics,
municipal companies and community
capita income and high rates of exodus
noise and other local impacts are not
foundations are considered community
to urban areas, can significantly
the main reasons for opposition. For
owners. It is important to highlight
benefit from the new income stream
example in Hvide Sande (Denmark),
that renewables for individual use are
of renewable energies, as the case of
wind turbine projects faced strong
not considered as community owned.
the pioneering Hvide Sande project in
local opposition and were cancelled in
Rural regions, with the lowest per
23
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community ownership of wind power projects reduces electricity prices for consumers, supports local
development, promotes energy democracy and increases local acceptance.
Onshore wind power is one of the cheapest renewable resources for electricity production. Hampering its
commission may only lead to higher costs in the transition to low carbon energy systems.
Excess power has to be handled by integration of electricity, heat/cooling, gas and transportation systems in
order to reduce the merit-order-effect and the use of fuels that can be stored and emit greenhouse gasses.
Even if offshore is often considered to be a plausible solution to local protests against wind power, substituting
onshore capacity by offshore capacity harms consumers economy as offshore is 2-3 times more expensive.
Achieving local acceptance is of extreme relevance for consumers and environment.
Distribution of benefits of wind power projects through local development is a must to achieve local acceptance.
National and local governments should support community ownership for onshore wind projects.
Authorities should designate areas for wind turbines with community ownership and determine requirements
of community benefits for commercial wind projects.
24
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community ownership models
are not valid anymore in Denmark
price of those resources. Opponents
focus on enhancing the common
and in many other countries. First of
to community ownership argue
good and result in firm support for
all, wind power integration is being
that land costs should be related to
renewable energy development. In
slowed-down as a consequence
potentially alternative uses of land
Scandinavia, the prevailing form of
of growing local opposition to
thereby justifying their rationale
ownership for district heating, water
commercially-owned wind turbines.
using speculation principles. However,
supply, public transportation and the
Secondly, reducing electricity prices
in many rural areas the only other
public power distribution satisfies
is against the interest of any land
alternative land use to wind turbines is
the common good principle. However,
owner and commercial investor, who
growing crops.
until now, wind turbines have been
will advocate for higher subsidies.
primarily owned by commercial
In addition, competition among
ownership models, community
investors as they are owned in other
commercial developers is counter-
ownership models have been proven
countries.
In contrast to commercial
productive when it comes to the
to enjoy the full support of local
Faster and less costly integration
acquisition of scarce resources
residents. Community ownership
of wind power in the system has been
such as land for wind projects in
models can achieve lower financial
the main argument to promote the
highly populated Western European
costs by avoiding costly litigation and
participation of commercial investors.
countries as demand-offer market
ensuring lower land costs for project
rules will inevitably increase the
development.
Nevertheless, those arguments
In the coming years in Denmark 1,000 wind turbines of 3-4 MW will be installed onshore. With 15 GWh from each and 2
cents/kWh ACCEPT BONUS, 30 low income, windy municipalities can share 300 million EUR annually for common good
purposes. The local communities will welcome the wind turbines and society will save huge subsidies compared to offshore
generated power.
Hvide Sande (White Sands)

Winds of Development a case from real life
THE TOWN
Therefore, revitalization of rural areas

through new or improved income
Hvide Sande is a small fishing
generation, business opportunities and
town on the beach of the North Sea
job creation is indispensable to reverse
with approximately 3,000 inhabitants
the exodus and to ensure the economic
located in Ringkbing-Skjern, a
sustainability of those areas. Hvide
municipality in rural Denmark.
Sandes economy is mainly reliant on
Danish rural areas have the lowest
the harbour (owned and run by the
per capita income and have for
municipality) and on tourism.
many years languished due to the

exodus of its people to urban areas,
THE HARBOUR PROJECT
where most services, infrastructure

and job offers, especially for highly
qualified personnel, are concentrated.
Fishing vessels have become

bigger and it was crucial to deepen
the harbour area, to adapt the piers to

allow bigger ships to come in, which
25
ISSUE 1 June 2016
forced the community to upgrade
3MW wind turbines to be placed on the
requested to start-up a foundation
its facilities. The expansion and
beach on land owned by the harbour.
in Denmark. Financing required to
improvements aimed at attracting
Due to its proximity, the economy of
cover 100% of the investment related
higher amounts of ships to the harbour
every second or third household in
to the 80% owned by the community
and also provide diversification
Hvide Sande relies on Vestas, either
foundation, which was obtained from
possibilities for the transport of goods
because one or more family members
two local banks Jyske Bank (50%)
and increased service possibilities
work directly at Vestas or as Vestas
and Ringkjbing Landbobank (50%)
for the North Sea offshore industry. It
subcontractors. Therefore, the choice
with the wind turbines as the only
was estimated that the project could
of wind turbine manufacturer was
bank guarantee.
create 70 new jobs. In addition, a lively
clear.
harbour is also a good attraction for

tourists.
The required investment to
The rent of the land for the wind
As it was specified in its by-laws,

the foundation has the purpose of
turbines would generate an income of
running three wind turbines at Hvide
0.64 million EUR/year over 30 years
Sande North Harbour on an area
implement the harbour project was
for the harbour, i.e. 19.33 million EUR.
belonging to Hvide Sande Harbour and
19.5 million EUR, of which 4.8 would
But wind turbines could contribute
thereby support the development of
be funded by the Danish government
more than just supporting Vestas and
Hvide Sande harbour and the tourism
and 5.3 by EU programs. To obtain a
the land rent. Different ownership
in Ringkbing/Skjern municipality by
bank loan to cover the investment,
alternatives were analysed and, once
production of renewable energy. After
it was necessary to present a project
having compared their capability to
having paid back the loan (expected
that was economically feasible, which
support the harbour and tourism
pay-back period: 6 years after project
entailed the need for an additional
in Hvide Sande, it was decided to
commission), the foundation will
income source. Wind turbines brought
establish a community foundation,
generate 0.67-1.34 million EUR/year
the needed financial solution.
similar to a trust fund. The foundation
(i.e. 16 - 32 million EUR) exclusively to
would own 80% of the wind turbine
be used for the purpose defined in the
project and, following the Danish
by-laws.
THE WIND TURBINE PROJECT
regulation, 20% of the shares were

Hvide Sande, like the west coast
The project was first introduced
offered to local residents. The cost of
to the harbour company (which is also
of Denmark, has rich wind resources
each share was 309 EUR and they were
municipally-owned) in August 2009.
and onshore wind turbines are a safe
all sold out in two days. The project
The wind turbines were commissioned
and profitable investment in Denmark.
counted with the support of the entire
in December 2011. Since March 2012,
Integration of electricity, heat, gas
community and, as a result, many local
each of the three wind turbines has
and transportation systems enjoy
people were willing to get involved
produced an average of 16 GWh/year.
political support that will ensure
in it more than 400 people became
At the end, the harbour got the loan
proper economy for technologies
shareholders.
needed to implement the harbour
using fluctuating sources for electricity
The community foundation
project thanks to the stable annual
production in the future. Hence,
owning 80% of the wind energy
income from the wind turbines. The
onshore wind turbine projects provide
project was established by the local
initial results of the harbour project
the necessary source of income for
Tourism Association (Holmsland Klit
are already visible as the activity in the
community projects.
Turistforening) in collaboration with
harbour has incremented significantly
local industry trade associations, labor
due to the increase in ships going
local initiators spearheaded a wind
unions and utilities. The Tourism
there. This has led to creation of many
project consisting of three Vestas V112
Association raised the 40,300 EUR
jobs and increased tourism to the town
Within that context, a group of
26
ISSUE 1 June 2016
even more new jobs are expected for
was and is different from other
the future.
wind projects. It was designed and

developed with the objective of local
INHABITANTS PERCEPTION OF
economic stability, local development
THEIR WIND PROJECT
and self-sufficiency. This is why

the three wind turbines that can
Due to the good wind conditions
be seen from almost everywhere in
at the west coast of Denmark,
Hvide Sande are not just accepted,
private investors had tried earlier to
but they are warmly welcomed by
implement projects in Hvide Sande.
local inhabitants. The previously
However, those projects were stopped
experienced NIMBY effect (Not In My
because of local protests. In contrast,
Backyard) turned into POOL (Please On
the project described above achieved
Our Land) and local inhabitants today
broad local acceptance because it
feel proud of their three turbines.
NEW COMMUNITY WIND POWER ECONOMY

With bigger, higher and more efficient wind turbines as we have seen in recent years, fixed remuneration prices
like FIT over time lead to capitalisation costs of land that can be exorbitant. It was never anticipated by the pioneers
and promoters of the FIT, but it has become an onerous reality. FIT was certainly the best solution at the introductory
level, however, the negative effects have become too visible and it is time to point at other mechanisms. The most
effective solution is to re-tool policies so wind power becomes focused on enhancing the common good/public use.
Providing monetary compensation to land owners is standard practice in Scandinavia when appointing areas for
common good such as transmission towers, waterworks, roads, railways, airports or harbours and it leads to projects
with lower overall costs.
In this report it is argued that the same focus should be applied to wind turbines which can be built for enhancing
the common good land and other compensation payments should be similar to those provided for transmission
towers. That policy focus would result in a significant reduction in electricity generation costs and, as a result,
subsidies for onshore wind power could be lowered and higher income for local development would be ensured as a
result of community ownership.
It is proposed here that Municipalities should be responsible for designating areas for wind projects with a
common good objective. In addition, it is important to mention that legislation should specify that expropriated areas
can only be used by community projects not for private profit by commercial owners.
Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy is an independent, non-profit organisation located in Denmark which has worked for a
world with 100% renewable energy supply since it was founded in 1983. Aware of the relevance of energy democracy for the transition
to a sustainable energy system, the organisation has put significant effort to citizen empowerment for decades. Currently Folkecenter
is focusing on the dissemination of the concept of community power as defined and described in this article , nationally and
internationally through specific projects, participation in conferences and workshops and publication of articles and reports that show
the results of the ongoing research. Folkecenter aims at making all the available knowledge regarding community power (its economy,
its potential to support local communities, existing challenges, various ownership models, legal frameworks, etc.) accessible for all
stakeholders that could use this information i.e. from local communities to national actors.
27
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community Power in-line with

100% Renewable Energy the
Next Challenge:
Industry Integrated Productive
RE Use -B100 Initiative
By Gadi Hareli, Enter-Tech Cleantech Solutions
Ever since the second industrial

revolution, energy availability has been
limited access to electrical power.

Following the foundation of
intermittency of RE.
By combining electricity intensive
a prerequisite and the driving force of
the REN Alliance by the World Wind
industries in the local communities
economical growth.
Energy Association (WWEA), the
electrification process, the B100
International Solar Energy Society
concept is implemented in order to
energy is becoming a consensus, and
(ISES), International Hydropower
be 100% renewable, aim Beyond 100%
as the share of renewables in the
Association (IHA), the International
while allocating appropriate uses to the
energy mix increases, the challenges of
Geothermal Association(IGA) and the
so called "OVERLOAD" when matching
compensating the need for dispatchable
World Bio-energy Association (WBA)
demand and generation.
generation or energy storage with
the Global 100% Renewable Energy
renewables while keeping financial
network and campaign (GO100RE)
layer in the portfolio of energy storage
viability of electricity production, along
was launched by international
solutions, bridging the gap towards
with the need of developing countries
organizations including the WWEA,
financially viable solution and yet
for increased electrification.
World Future Council (WFC), ISES and
another pillar and enabler of 100% RE.
As the target of 100% renewable
The I2RE-B100 Productive Energy
WBA amongst others.
The B100 concept is considered a
The I2RE-B100 initiative started
Use initiative takes renewable energy
The Industry Integrated
working on green economy solutions
a step further, towards the integration
Productive RE use- B100 initiative,
for developing countries, by looking
of industries and renewable energy
is aiming at practically achieving
at the available local resources in a
resources, for the benefit of people,
prosperity and industrial growth based
holistic approach, where local available
water & food security, increased GDP,
on power intensive industries which
energy sources are investigated, in
employment and prosperity, targeting
could benefit from the abundance of
parallel to local needs, starting with
mainly remote communities which had
intermittent electricity, in line with the
water security and desalination,
28
ISSUE 1 June 2016
increased food production such
as well as expertise within the local
ongoing operational capabilities to
as highly intensive aqua-culture
human communities.
operate and maintain the infrastructure
and agriculture, followed by other
The I2RE-B100 initiative
industrial uses, depending on local
advocates the establishment of local
resources- both natural resources
know-how for local development of
which is built for the benefit of the local

population.
Preliminary projects are already
initiated, targeting regions and
communities mainly in west Africa, in
cooperation with the Mali Folk Center,
involving relevant industries, research
institutes and RE solution providers.
A training program has been designed
and is to be launched soon, addressing
from the levels of decision makers
to the financing and implementation
phase, to allow a viable sustainable
approach for local O&M of the
I2RE-B100 methodology.
We are in need of more partners
to join this initiative, which comprises
multiple stake-holders, including
research, education, training,
equipment and service providers from
the different relevant industries to
take part in this exciting community
sustainable growth for prosperity.
For further information please
contact Gadi Hareli GadHareli@gmail.
com
Photo: Li Ling
29
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Yansa:
Community Power as Social
Development Driver
By Sergio Oceransky, Company Director, Yansa Community Interest Company
limitations, but can only use the profits
twofold: the social development of
renewable energy developer created in
to advance their social mission. Their
the communities where its projects
2008 to support community projects in
most important legal features are:
take place, and the promotion of
Yansa is a not-for-profit
the Global South, as a means to foster
an asset lock that prevents
social development and lower the cost
mission drift and prohibits the use of
of the energy transition. It is composed
assets other than for social objectives,
of two entities:
Yansa Community Interest
Company Ltd. (Yansa CIC) is the social
the Community Interest
community renewable energy in other

communities.
Yansa CIC operates outside the
UK through a domestic subsidiary in
Test that ensures the protection of
the form of a LLC, as CICs only exist in
communities interests,
the UK. As part of the assets owned by
oversight from the Community
Yansa CIC, subsidiaries are subjected
enterprise of the group, active in all
Interest Company Regulator, which can
to the rules that apply to all CIC
aspects of community green energy
audit and intervene in case of breach
assets: asset lock, community interest
development: technical studies,
of the asset lock or the community
mandate, and oversight from the CIC
permitting, contract negotiation,
interest test.
Regulator.
financing and, at later stages,

construction oversight, project
management, and project refinancing.
The asset lock is very
The Yansa Foundation is a tax-
comprehensive, encompassing
exempt non-profit. The Foundation
aspects such as salary levels in order
works with communities on the
to avoid abuse or indirect dividend
creation of accountable governance
Company (CIC) Limited by Guarantee,
distribution. CICs can only transform
structures and practices for community
registered in May 2008 in the UK, the
themselves into, or donate their
renewable energy projects, and
only country where this legal form
assets at dissolution to, other asset-
provides training and capacity building.
exists. CICs Limited by Guarantee
locked entities (CICs or Charities) with
The Foundations training mandate
do not have shareholders; they are
equivalent social objectives. These
encompasses technical and governance
owned by their social objectives and
features offer protection to the social
aspects, as well as best practices in
financed through loans. Being a special
mission, an important consideration
the social development areas that are
kind of Limited Companies, CICs can
for socially responsible investors.
relevant to the priorities articulated by
Yansa CIC is a Community Interest
undertake for-profit activities without
30
Yansa CIC's social objectives are
the community.
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Yansa CIC is financed through
and will enhance the risk profile of
concessional loans from individuals,
projects vis--vis creditors. Loans
foundations and socially responsible
will be underwritten by a small
investors. The Yansa Foundation is
percentage of the profit generated by
financed through grants.
all community projects, simultaneously
The Ixtepec
Community Wind
Farm
Ixtepec is an indigenous
protecting lenders and communities
community of 30,000 inhabitants
whose projects face temporary cash
located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec,
is in the development phase. Financing
flow problems. Once a project finishes
in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. This
for this phase comes from social
repaying all loans, a third of its net
region is endowed with one of the
investors and foundations. Once the
balance (contributions to the guarantee
worlds strongest and steadiest
project reaches financial closure, the
instrument minus withdrawals) will
wind regimes. Almost all the land is
construction phase will be financed
go to the community, a third will be
communally owned by indigenous
through loans from investors interested
invested in new projects at different
communities, whose land rights are
in safe investments that balance social
communities, and a third will remain in
enshrined in and protected by the
and financial returns, and bank loans.
the instrument, to help reduce risk and
Mexican Constitution; however, these
Project assets will serve as collateral
increase the flow of investment into
collective rights are often disregarded
for the loans.
community renewable energy.
by the State or Federal government,
Yansas first utility-scale project
who tend to follow a top-down

When the project becomes
The model is designed to
approach in relation to communities
operational, 50% of the net profit
attract low-cost institutional capital
that often results in destitution.
(power sales minus debt service
to community-based utility-scale
Communities have few means to
and operating expenses) will be
renewable energy projects, on the
defend their rights other than protests
devoted to social value creation at the
basis of reduced social and financial
and blockades, given their inadequate
community. This 50% of net profits
risks, in order to make a participatory
access to legal defense. At a local level,
will be administered by community
and socially just energy transition a
some communities have democratic
organizations; Yansa role will be to
tangible and realistic prospect.
governance and accountability

structures, and a strong practice of
monitor inclusive, democratic and

accountable community governance.
In contrast with commercial
defending their land and collective
developers, Yansa does not initiate
rights. Other communities suffer from
or actively promote projects; it only
a system of political-social domination
remaining 50% of the net profits,
provides access to information about
based on the leadership of a strongman
devoting them to:
Yansa will administer the
the community renewable energy
(caudillo), who is not subject to
Development costs of new
model, and supports initiatives that
effective accountability mechanisms.
community renewable energy projects.
originate within communities. This
The latter situation often results in lack
represents a key criterion to distinguish
of effective control by communities
genuine community projects.
of their collective territories and
Training community members

locally and in other communities that
resources.
want to undertake projects.

Contributing to a mutual
guarantee instrument.
Utility-scale community projects

in the Global South face substantial
In 2003, the National Renewable
challenges, some internal and other
Energy Laboratory of the United States
external. These will be illustrated by
Department of Energy published
represents a mechanism of mutual
Yansas first utility-scale project, the
the Wind Energy Resource Atlas of
support between community projects,
Ixtepec community wind farm.
Oaxaca, with detailed information
The guarantee instrument
31
ISSUE 1 June 2016
on the highly competitive wind of
officials started assigning territorial
government cannot assign rights over
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This
concessions (similar to oil or gas
indigenous land to third parties. The
publication strengthened the interest of
exploration blocks) in the region to
initial concessions were granted in
(primarily foreign) project developers
wind power developers and energy
areas belonging to communities with
and energy companies in the region.
companies. The granting of concessions
weak collective governance structures,
Soon thereafter, State government
represented a breach of the law, as the
and in some areas where collective

land had been turned into private land.
After obtaining a concession,
companies approached communities
to sign long-term land lease contracts
in very unequal terms, given
communities lack of bargaining power.
The few community representatives
who refused to sign came under
pressure from State officials. Through
this process, wind power companies
acquired rights over tens of thousands
of hectares. Unsurprisingly, as a
consequence of this unequal process,
wind farm construction in the region
was riddled with conflict from the very
Characterization of the wind resource in the Isthmus, taken from NREL (2003)
start.
Probably due to its strong
collective governance structures, the
community of Ixtepec was not included
in the distribution of concessions.
Ixtepec community members
observed the dire consequences of
top-down wind power development
in neighboring communities, and
decided to avert a similar fate for their
community. A community assembly
in 2008 decided not to lease any land
to external developers, and to instead
seek to undertake a communitybased wind farm project. Community
members contacted Yansa in 2009, and
the cooperation was formalized soon
Initial concessions given by the State Government to wind developers
thereafter by a community assembly,

launching a process to jointly develop a
102 MW community wind farm project.
32
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Yansa CIC and community
transparency and accountability
obtain the PPA), plus audited accounts
representatives defined an appropriate
mechanisms to ensure that decisions
from the investors to prove their
site for the wind farm based on social
democratically taken by community
financial wherewithal. CFE rejected
and environmental factors, undertook
members are implemented and no
all these requests, probably as a result
all the technical studies (site-specific
funds are misused.
of influence enjoyed by transnational
wind studies, environmental and

archaeological surveys) required for a
power companies that operate in

In 2012 the project was
Mexico, which had voiced their
project of this nature, and negotiated
essentially ready; it only lacked a long-
opposition to Yansas community wind
an Engineering, Procurement and
term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
model.
Construction contract with a world-
which, in Mexico, is granted through a
class company. At the same time,
competitive public tenders. A group of
the Yansa Foundation and a group
social investors expressed interest in
community of Ixtepec initiated legal
of community members facilitated
financing the project through soft loans,
action against these discriminatory
community consultations and
should the project win the tender and
barriers, with Yansas support. Two
participation, including the creation of a
obtain the PPA. The community and
lawsuits were filed in October 2012,
Womens Forum and a Youth Forum, in
Yansa embarked in the tender process,
and are close to a resolution. A ruling in
order to design appropriate structures
but Mexicos national utility (Comisin
favor of Ixtepec would set an important
and processes for accountable,
Nacional de Electricidad, CFE)
precedent for future community
measurable and democratic community
erected illegal barriers to inhibit the
projects.
management of the wind farms
projects participation. Amongst other
proceeds. We researched the situation
conditions, CFE demanded audited
and priorities of the community,
accounts proving that the community

1
Faced with CFEs rejection, the
As the case of Ixtepec illustrates,

communities attempting to undertake
including the production of a socio-
had possessed working capital in
utility-scale renewable energy
demographic community profile, an
excess of US$ 50 million during the
generation in areas with extraordinary
in-depth study on the situation and
three previous financial years, a
energy resource face important
priorities of farmers, and a broader
condition that no Latin American
challenges. An inclusive, participatory,
consultation on the communitys social
indigenous community can fulfill. It
socially responsible and low-risk
development priorities. A community
also demanded a US$ 7 million letter
business transition model represents
social development trust was designed
of credit from the community to allow
a serious threat to powerful energy
with input from all community sectors
it to bid in the tender. Such prohibitive
companies. If communities successfully
to administer proceedings for social
conditions made the tender accessible
undertake utility-scale projects, the
development, and specific funds
only to large energy corporations. We
role of private energy corporations
were designed for investments in
argued that communities could not
will be thrown into question. Despite
sustainable agriculture, a pensions
be subjected to the same conditions
the opposition of energy corporations,
fund for indigenous farmers, education,
as large corporations, and requested
Yansa will continue working in
local enterprise development, health,
the possibility of replacing the US$
partnership with indigenous and other
etc. The trust governance structure
7 Mio letter of credit with legally
vulnerable communities for a complete
was designed in a bottom-up manner,
binding contracts signed by investors
democratization of the renewable
with local assemblies being the highest
(committing sufficient financing for
energy sector.
decision-making body and statutory
the community project in case it would
1 Working capital is formed by liquid or current assets such as cash or short-term investments. It does not include fixed assets such as land or buildings.
33
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Start of A New Network for

Community Power Projects in North
Rhine-Westphalia
Over the last decades
The Platform Community Power and
has been set up which comprises a
community power projects have
Energy Cooperatives addresses both
collection of best practice examples,
become very important players in
organizers of existing community
a database with basic information
the implementation of the German
power projects and founders of new
and contact details of many existing
Energiewende, especially regarding
initiatives in North Rhine-Westphalia
projects in NRW, general background
the construction of renewable energy
(NRW). Its main goals are on the one
information and news: see www.
plants. However, over the last few
hand to facilitate the exchange of
energieagentur.nrw/buergerenergie.
years changes in the legal frameworks
know-how and experience between
and funding conditions have made
community power projects. On
the realization of community projects
the other hand it aims to initiate
more and more challenging. The
cooperations amongst community
increasing complexity of business
projects or with other market players.
behalf of the state government of North
models for renewable energy projects
Membership is open to all and free of
Rhine-Westphalia as an operative
is hitting community projects
charge.
platform with broad expertise in the
particularly hard, as they are often
The services of the Platform
The EnergyAgency.NRW
The Energy Agency.NRWworks on
energy sector: from energy research,
run by volunteers with limited time
Community Power and Energy
technical development, demonstration
capacities.
Cooperatives include consulting
projects, market introduction and
services for community power start-
energy consultancy to vocational
Energy Agency.NRW has launched
ups, several annual events like
training. Many of its activities focus
a new network to help community
conferences, workshops, training
on energy efficiency and climate
power projects in North Rhine-
courses and regular regional meetings
protection.
Westphalia face these challenges.
for members. Moreover, a website
On January 21st, 2016, the
Contact person: Julian Schnbeck, EnergieAgentur.NRW, Rostr. 92, 40476 Dsseldorf, Tel. 0211 86642 293, schoenbeck@
energieagentur.nrw
34
ISSUE 1 June 2016
35
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community Energy
in the UK, 2016:
The Beginning of the End?
By Jelte Harnmeijer1,2,3
Through the introduction of legislation that stands to exacerbate an already front-loaded

risk profile onto renewables developments, community renewables currently faces an EU-wide
existential threat. In many ways, the period following the election of a majority Conservative
UK Government in Westminster in the spring of 2015 provides a useful picture of what this
future EU-wide landscape might look like for community renewables.
A Cursory CrossSection Through

the UK Community
Renewables Sector
Since early beginnings in the 1990s, the segment

has been growing by about 30% annually in raw
capacity terms, which is roughly three times
faster than the commercial market segment
over the same period. Community electricity
has vastly dominated heat in terms of project
numbers, capacity and investment. Deployment
A detailed overview of the community

renewables market segment is provided by
hydro, with a short-lived boom of solar PV over
Harnmeijer et al. (2013) and Slee & Harnmeijer
the past 5 years that as for all UK renewable
(forthcoming; preprints available on request).
electricity technologies was curtailed by the
1 James Hutton Institute

2 Scene Consulting, http://scene.community
3 University of Edinburgh
36
has been dominated by onshore wind and
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Figure 1: Map of community

energy projects in the UK.
Source: Energy Archipelago (March
2016), http://energyarchipelago.
com. See Harnmeijer et al. (2012)
for information about this global
dataset.
unexpectedly aggressive curtailment of support
UK community renewables stands apart
mechanisms in the second half of 2015. To date,
from analogous market segments elsewhere
there are no community marine renewable
by virtue of an unusually rich diversity of
developments in the UK.
legal structures and business models. These

show strong regional variation, however, with
As might be expected, the scale of
energy cooperatives dominating in England,
development varies enormously, from 10s of
Northern Ireland and Wales; and community
kW-scale hydro- and solar projects to the 9 MW
trusts dominating in Scotland. The past decade
Point & Sandwick community wind farm in the
or so also saw an exceptionally varied upsurge
Outer Hebrides. As ambitions have grown and
in community joint ventures with commercial
policymakers and practisioners have learned
developers, wholly concentrated in Scotland.
by doing, the average size of community
In the European context, there exists an
developments has steadily risen over time.
unusually small role for local authorities in the
37
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Table 1: Overview of changes

to main UK renewable electricity
support mechanisms, 2015.
Table 2: Changes in UK Feed-in

Tariff (FiT) regime for dominant
renewables technologies, 2015.
UK segment, with few exceptions. This goes a
support renewable electricity generation by
long way to explaining the dearth of community
independent power producers in the UK: the
renewable heat projects.
Renewables Obligation (RO), the Feed-InTariff (FiT) and the Contract for Difference
Policy Shocks
Three key support mechanisms currently
38
(CfD). A fourth mechanism, the Renewable

Heat Incentive (RHI), applies to renewable
heat. Between them, these mutually exclusive
mechanisms span the breadth of major
ISSUE 1 June 2016
renewable energy technology types and

capacity classes.
Beginning on the 18th of June, 2015, a
sequence of policy reforms were introduced
that, as an ensemble, signalled an intention
to phase out support schemes specific to
renewable electricity across the UK (Tables
1 and 2). The general trend is now towards
technologically agnostic auction-based systems
that add further risk to what was already
the riskiest phase of project development,
particularly for communities (Harnmeijer et al.,
2015): the development stage before financial
close is achieved.
Another major blow to UK community
renewables came through tax reform. Tax
benefits, such as the Enterprise Investment
Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise
Investment Scheme (SEIS), have played a key
role in energising community investment into
renewables. They have incentivised market
access to non-specialist investors, effectively
lowering hurdle-rates (= cheaper cost of
capital) and giving projects access to finance at
rates more favourable than available through
commercial finance providers. Both were
removed on the 1st of November 2015.
A Bleak Outlook
Except, perhaps, in
Scotland
As is currently the case in Brussels,
a simplistic (and disappointingly underinformed) narrative of subsidy-free
renewables has overtaken present discourse at
Westminster, with no mainstream discussion of
the long-term opportunity cost: missing out on
the important positive externalities associated
with community renewables, which stands to
be impacted disproportionately.
As far as the UK goes, all eyes are now on
Scotland, where a devolved administration is
presently hard at work preparing an eagerly
awaited new Energy Strategy (anticipated in the
Autumn 2016) that is widely expected to place
community energy centre-stage. In Scotland,
community renewables enjoys cross-party
support, together with general recognition for
benefits not currently internalized through
the market. There is every reason to believe,
therefore, that Scotland will become even more
than a bastion of UK community renewables
than it already is.
Reference
J. Harnmeijer, A. Harnmeijer, V. Bhopal, S. Robinson, J. Msika, D. Roberts, E. Phimister (2015) The comparative
costs of community- and commercial renewables energy in Scotland, ClimateXChange / Scottish Government.
B. Slee, J. Harnmeijer (in press) Scottish Community Energy In: G. Wood, K. Baker (editors) A Critical Review
of Scottish Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Policy: Implications of the Independence Debate, Pelgrave
Macmillan.
C. Haggett, M. Aitken, D. Rudolph, B. van Veelen, J. Harnmeijer, M. Markantoni (2014) Supporting Community
Investment in Commercial Energy Schemes, ClimateXChange / Scottish Government.
C. Haggett, E. Creamer, J. Harnmeijer, M. Parsons, E. Bomberg (2013) Community Energy in Scotland: the Social
Factors for Success, ClimateXChange / Scottish Government.
J. Harnmeijer, M. Parsons, C. Julian (2013) The Community Renewables Economy, RenewableUK / ResPublica.
J. Harnmeijer, A. Harnmeijer, C. Loyd (2012) Towards a global database of community-led renewable energy
development, Regions, 287, 16-18.
39
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Community Power
in Southern Europe:
from a Wind-workers Cooperative
to a Wind Community Project
By Josep Puig i Boix, PhD engineer
Eurosolar Spain
Wind power in
Spain
Since 2012, when the FIT policy was
40
Background
Wind projects started being developed
in Spain when a wind-workers cooperative
was created in Barcelona. In 1981, Ecotcnia
supressed, almost no new wind development
S. Coop. was created and it developed a 15 kW,
has been made in Spain. Now Spain has almost
12 m. diameter, wind turbine (Figure 2). It was
23,000 MW of wind capacity (Figure 1). All this
commissioned in March 1983 (Figure 3). Since
capacity is owned by private companies (Table
then, Ecotcnia has developed successful wind
1). There isnt any wind community project.
turbines until 3 MW capacity (Figure 4).
ISSUE 1 June 2016
It took almost 20 years (from the early
wind turbine came together to commemorate
eighties until 1998) to install the first 1,000 MW
the event (Figure-5), a new proposal was
wind capacity. Since then the progression was
suggested: why not to start a community wind
impressive: 5,000 MW (2002), 10,000 MW (2005),
project in order to make possible the social
15,000 (2007), more than 20,000 MW (2010).
appropriation of wind technology?
The main Spanish wind manufactures were

Acciona Wind, Ecotcnia S. Coop. and Gamesa.
Eurosolar Spain took the idea and

launched a pioneering initiative in our country:
Living from the air of the sky. The project
involves the installation of a wind turbine
The first wind

community project
of shared ownership among citizens who

voluntarily provide the money needed to realize
the project. Eurosolar Spain started publicizing
it with the help of Barcelona Local Energy Group
In 2009, when people involved in the first
- BarnaGEL. After the story was published in
41
ISSUE 1 June 2016
the two main newspapers, almost 50 people
the air of the skys project is to install a wind
wrote Eurosolar asking for participation in the
turbine of shared ownership, which can
ownership.
generate clean and green electricity, making

possible the solidarity between people living in
At the end of 2009, 4 people created
urban areas and those living in rural areas. An
a small company, Eolpop S.L. (Figure 6) to
additional objective is to enable people and/or
undertake the project: to promote the project, to
families to demonstrate that the energy they use
find a suitable location (good wind, easy access
in their everyday life is green and clean, build in
and proximity to the medium voltage grid), to
the location where the turbine will be installed.
commission the project, to sign an agreement

with the owners of the land, to sign an
The cost of installation and commissioning
agreement with the Town Council, to choose the
is covered with the participation of the people,
model of wind turbine and to sign the MOU and
both individuals and/or families living in urban
the purchase agreement with the wind-turbine
or rural, and non for profit organizations. The
manufacturer, to supervise the installation and
project has the support of more than 20 local
to commission the wind turbine, and managing
and international NGOs.
sales contracts relating to energy, maintenance

of the machine and insurance. Also Eolpop
The site chosen is within the municipality
S.L. is responsible for issuing participatory
of Pujalt (Anoia, Catalunya), for the good wind
accounts that enable normal people to share the
conditions, easy access and accessibility to
ownership of the turbine.
the medium voltage network. The chosen

wind turbine model is a wind turbine of 122
The main objective of the Living from
m. diameter, 2.7 MW rated power, a wind

machine specially designed for low wind areas
(Figure-7).
On 10 March 2009 it started the process
to formalize the pre-registrations, which
are stored in a database in strict order of
arrival. Pre-registration is confirmed when
people has made an initial contribution of
100 (individuals), 250 (family) or 500
(institutions). This amount will be deducted at
the time of formalizing the capital contribution.
The minimum investment to participate
in the project will be required to generate
1,000 kWh/year of clean and green electricity.
From this small investment, you can make
higher investments, always in amounts that are
integer multiples of the minimum investment.
Investment, that each person and/or family
42
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Energy use for a family
Necessary investment to generate the amount of energy with

the wind-turbine
Electricity
3.100 kWh (862 kg CO2)
Heat
7.850 kWh (1.565 kg CO2)
Transport
10.000 kWh (2.527 kg CO2)
TOTAL
20.950 kWh (4.954 kg CO2)
2,169
5,493
6,998
14,660
wants to make, can be calculated from their
them to zero. And so, during the lifetime of the
current level of use of electricity, heat and
turbine (over 20 years!).
energy for motorized travel.

On March 2012, Eolpop S.L. started the
A family that has a total domestic energy
process asking for the necessary permits to
use of 20,950 kWh/year, Which investment
the Catalan administration. On January 2016
should meet their energy needs for electricity,
the official journals of the Catalan and Spanish
heating and transport?
governments made public the announcement of

the project.
This means that if this family would

invest 14,660 in the shared ownership of
At the end of 2015 more than 250 people
wind turbine, the family can say that she has
were registered to participate in the project,
generated all the energy she needs from the
with a commitment of almost 1,200,000. Also
equivalent in electricity produced by the wind
the first green electricity cooperative (Som
turbine. Therefore, the family must also offset
Energia) will participate in the project with a
her greenhouse gases emissions, reducing
50% of total cost contribution.
43
ISSUE 1 June 2016
The Energy Union

The Energy Union
The European Commission's
Framework Strategy for a Resilient
Energy Union with a Forward-Looking
Climate Change Policy was released on
Energy security, solidarity and

trust;
A fully integrated European
energy market;
Energy efficiency contributing to
moderation of demand;
25th February 2015 and has created a
Decarbonising the economy, and
new momentum to give EU consumers
Research, Innovation and
- households and businesses - secure,
Competitiveness
a fundamental transformation of
Europe's energy system.
Being number one

in renewables
Renewables will play an
The Energy Union strategy has
increasingly important role in
five mutually-reinforcing and closely
combating climate change by
interrelated dimensions designed
producing low-carbon energy. Since
to bring greater energy security,
energy and transport account for 80%
sustainability and competitiveness:
of EU emissions, climate and energy
1 COM(2015) 293 final
44
is why President Juncker made the

pledge for the Energy Union to become
"world number one" in renewables.
This leadership articulates around five
key areas:
Empowering citizens at the core
of the Energy Union
Boosting energy security by
sustainable, competitive and affordable

energy. Achieving this goal will require
policies must go hand in hand. That
generating locally
Leading in renewable
technologies and system integration
Rolling-out renewables inside
the EU
Maintaining and creating
sustainable jobs and added value
The existing Renewable Energy
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Directive forms an integral part of the

EU energy policy. Its implementation
is assessed on a biennial basis. In June
2015, the latest Renewable Energy
Progress Report1 concluded that
the majority of Member States are
currently on track to meeting their
2020 renewables target, but need to
pursue their effort as the trajectory is
becoming steeper.
By end 2016, the European
Commission will present a revised
Renewable Energy Directive and a
bioenergy sustainability policy for
2030. Their aim is to ensure a costeffective, sustainable and actual
delivery of a RES share of at least 27%
in the EU in 2030. It will also pave the
45
ISSUE 1 June 2016
way for increasingly important role of

self-consumption and the potential of
renewable energy in decarbonisation
of the heating and cooling sector.
Renewables: facts
and figures
In one year, renewable energy
helped to reduce CO2 emissions in
the EU by the equivalent of the annual
emissions of Spain2. Thanks to rising
amounts of renewables, the EU has
also cut its demand for fossil fuels
by 98 Mtoe compared to 2005 the
equivalent to Polands total energy
leader in wind turbine manufacturing7.
consumption3. Today, renewables

4
renewable energy production, often
power over 27% of the EUs electricity

and account for 16% of the overall
5
energy share .
But renewables are about more
The growing trend of decentralized
Renewable Energy
Communities in
the energy union
community owned, can play a key

role in facilitating the cost-effective
deployment of renewables and
increasing local acceptance. On the top
The Energy Union will have
of it, renewable energy communities
our economy and fuel our recovery.
citizens at its core, where citizens take
can also play a key role in the energy
Over the past five years, the renewable
ownership of the energy transition,
system by:
energy sector has provided almost half
benefit from new technologies to
a million new jobs and now generates
reduce their bills, participate actively
than just cutting emissions. They power
around 140 billion euros in turnover
which is a perfect illustration of
in the market, and where vulnerable

consumers are protected.
energy targets
Empowering consumers
Bringing added value to the local
the fact that it is possible to combine

growth and jobs creation with the fight
Contributing to renewable
However, if renewable energy
economy
against climate change. That makes the
benefits from increasing interest and a
Creating local employment
EU a major player on the international
generally positive opinion at EU-level,
Reducing prices for the end-
market and home to successful clean
some renewable energy projects are
energy companies, such as the world
facing strong opposition at local level.
consumer
2 European Environment Agency, Renewable energy in Europe -approximated recent growth and knock-on effects, 2015. -326Mt in 2012 compared with 2005
baseline
3 European Environment Agency, Renewable energy in Europe - approximated recent growth and knock-on effects, 2015. and Eurostat, 2012 gross inland
consumption
4 ESTAT shares 2014
5 ESTAT shares 2014
6 Eurobserv'ER
7 REN21, Renewables Global Status Report 2014. In terms of global market shares
46
ISSUE 1 June 2016
47
48
ISSUE 1 June 2016
ISSUE 1 June 2016
49
Geared for
a Better Future
Visit us at Booth 5527
Professional in Wind Gearbox and

Transmission System Solutions
NGC is one of the global leaders in wind gearbox development and production with
high performance product which can provide complete main gearboxes, yaw and
pitch drive product for wind turbine. NGC high reliability product is adapted to
various working conditions, low temperature, low wind speed, high altitude,
offshore and so on. So far, tens of thousands of NGC gearboxes have been running
well all over the world, contributing to continuous power for green energy.
www.NGCtransmission.com
50
ISSUE 1 June 2016
Extensive knowledge of our customers needs, acquired during our 21 years in the business,
endorse the versatility of the Gamesa 2.0-2.5 MW platform and its unmatched track record, with
18 GW installed worldwide. This platform, which boasts average eet availability of over 98%,
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That makes us the most flexible and trustworthy ally in global wind technology solutions.
Gamesa_official /
Gamesaofficialsite

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Quarterly Bulletin

ISSUE 1 March 2016

From The Editor

Dear Members and Friends of WWEA,

Issue 1 March 2016

01 From the Editor

Editor-in-Chief: Stefan Gsnger

Community Wind Special

Tel. +49-228-369 40-80

22 Community Power for Common Good

Fax +49-228-369 40-84

28 Community Power in-line with 100% Renewable

WWEA Head Office

Energy the Next Challenge:Industry Integrated

Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Productive RE Use -B100 Initiative

A detailed supplier listing and

30 Yansa: Community Power as Social Development

CALL FOR PAPERS:

have agreed to switch the global energy

March 2016 WWEA Community

supply to greenhouse gas neutrality

Power, ISEP and JCPA cordially invite

by 2050, meaning in fact 100%

the world of community power to

renewable energy. WCPC happens on

attend the 1st World Community

the occasion of the fifth anniversary of

Power Conference 2016 taking place

the Fukushima nuclear accident and of

in Fukushima City on the invitation of

the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl

the Mayor of the City of Fukushima.

WCPC aims at bring leading community

Community Power is usually

power proponents from Japan and the

defined as renewable energy

world together in order to discuss the

installations initiated, operated

role community power has to play in

and controlled by local citizens.

the global shift towards renewable

Community power has a proven very

energy. WCPC will also discuss a global

positive impact on deployment rates

community power strategy and its

of renewable energy and increases

national and local implications.

the economic benefits of renewable

WCPC will take place on the

the Paris climate change agreement

General: Community Power has been

in which all governments of the world

widely recognized as a major driver

of WWEC2016 is Concentrating efforts

renewable energy supply. Thanks

for wind power growth in Japan and

to the decentralized character of

renewable energy, communities are

Abstracts are invited on the

the symbolic location of Fukushima

energy policies supporting community

intends to give a boost to the close