This article summarises the main results of Deliverable D5.2 “Implementation analysis of the ECs (intermediate).” The deliverable documents how the Energy Community implementation roadmaps developed under Task 5.1 are being actively translated into concrete follow-up actions across all six POWER-E-COM partner countries. The full deliverable can be downloaded below.
Deliverable D5.2 serves as an operational bridge between the analytical roadmap outputs of Task 5.1 and the ongoing implementation and monitoring activities under Tasks 5.2 and 5.3. Rather than introducing new roadmaps, it focuses on how the existing roadmap results are guiding structured stakeholder engagement, sequencing of implementation steps, and preparation of a coherent monitoring framework.
1. Key Findings from Task 5.1
Task 5.1 confirmed that all partner countries successfully developed pilot or thematic Energy Community (EC) implementation roadmaps using a common Canvas-based methodology. Three overarching findings inform the implementation follow-up:
Common methodological findings
- The Canvas-based roadmap structure proved applicable across all national contexts and community types
- Roadmaps function as living documents requiring iterative updates as regulatory conditions, financing options and stakeholder engagement evolve
Differentiated maturity of pilot Energy Communities
- Some pilots are at an early organisational and financing stage; others are already operational and focused on optimisation, scaling and replication
- Thematic pilots address system-level challenges such as energy storage integration or networking of existing communities
Cross-cutting implementation needs identified across all pilots
- Structured stakeholder engagement – continuous involvement of citizens, municipalities and local actors
- Regulatory and administrative alignment – sequencing of permitting, grid connection and contractual procedures
- Financing preparation and alignment – coordination of investment models with public support schemes and local financial capacities
- Monitoring and performance tracking – definition of milestones and harmonised KPIs across pilots
2. Country-Level Implementation Follow-Up
Spain
The pilot EC is transitioning from roadmap design to practical implementation. Key activities focus on stakeholder validation of governance arrangements, investment willingness and financing conditions before moving to large-scale technical deployment.
Slovenia
Implementation covers several pilot ECs representing different organisational and technical models. Activities concentrate on governance validation, coordination with local authorities on regulatory procedures and alignment of financing arrangements with national support schemes.
Germany
Several Energy Communities – particularly in renewable district heating – are already operational. The implementation follow-up focuses on consolidation, optimisation and preparing for further scaling, including documentation of transferable lessons and best practices for knowledge exchange.
Austria
The focus is on thematic actions rather than new EC establishment: analysis of legal and regulatory conditions for energy storage integration, technical feasibility assessment, and networking activities to transfer practical insights between existing communities and new initiatives.
Bulgaria
Implementation centres on a municipality-led photovoltaic EC pilot with a crowdfunding investment model. Key activities include finalising stakeholder participation, operationalising the crowdfunding mechanism, and aligning regulatory and administrative steps for permitting and grid connection.
Ireland
The follow-up primarily addresses regulatory and procedural barriers identified during roadmap development. Activities focus on stakeholder dialogue with community representatives, local authorities and national bodies, with strong emphasis on capacity building and knowledge generation for future policy feedback.
3. Link to Tasks 5.2 and 5.3
The refined roadmaps and implementation insights documented in D5.2 feed directly into:
- Task 5.2 – used as the main reference framework for national and regional stakeholder workshops validating implementation assumptions and supporting local action planning
- Task 5.3 – milestones and indicators defined in the roadmaps provide the basis for systematic monitoring through an “implementation diary” across all pilot countries
4. Status and Outlook
Implementation activities are ongoing across all partner countries at varying speeds. The final project phase will place particular attention on:
- Improving data quality and completeness across pilots
- Ensuring consistency and interoperability of collected data
- Transforming monitoring results into actionable insights for replication and upscaling of Energy Community models
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