Can Municipalities Lead the Energy Transition? On Available Policy, Competences and Requirements for Action

Abstract

The implementation of innovative, bottom-up and tailor-made sustainable energy solutions in local communities is a fundamental game-changer in countries’ energy transition agendas. Challenges related to energy governance and the action to mitigate global warming require these communities to play a leading role through increased involvement in local energy initiatives. Municipalities can play this role at different levels, as a bridge between the private sector, the development agencies and the local communities, throughout the sector value chain from energy production to end-use consumption, using locally available renewable energy resources. The study was carried out in the city of Dakar, Senegal, where data on energy behaviour were collected through a survey. The main conclusion drawn from the study is municipalities can lead the transition to energy sustainability with the support of resident communities. However, this requires a policy framework that defines the municipalities’ scope of action, which is currently missing.

Decision Support for Energy Transition : Application of Multi-criteria Decision Making on Danish Residential Heating

“…Usually, this transition at the societal level is either marketor policy-driven, and empowering municipalities 1 can accelerate the adoption of the new change and support the value addition and market for certain energy sources and technologies (Schmidt et al, 2012). Generally, municipalities are responsible for the provision of high energy-consuming services within their regions, including transportation, water and wastewater management, and building maintenance (Faye and Macharia, 2022). In the case of supplying heat for buildings, municipalities could play an essential role in the transition by, for example, providing subsidies to certain desired technologies or educational instruction to both production or service providers or end users.…”

Citizens Awareness Energy Park. The value of knowledge sharing and energy science in local communities.

“…The positive attitude of employees and elected officials was essential for the successful completion of this pilot project. However, difficulties familiar to all European Municipalities were also recorded (Faye, C., Macharia, P., 2022). In particular, more than the number of employees is needed for the work they are called to carry out.…”