Transcending community energy: collective and politically motivated projects in renewable energy (CPE) across Europe

Becker, Sören; Kunze, Conrad

doi:10.3351/ppp.0008.0003.0004

Cited by 75 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Secondly, renewable energy supplying cooperatives (REScoops) that collectively own renewable energy production facilities and supply this to their members [80] have shown dramatic increases in membership. Take for instance Som Energia SCCL, which has been defined as collective and politically motivated renewable energy projects by [81], and was established in 2010, it has grown from 17,000 members in late 2014 to 45,000 in early 2018 [81,82].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development

2018

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Abstract:In this study, we focus on the case of Spanish energy policy and its implications for sustainable energy development. In recent years, Spanish legislation has changed dramatically in its approach to sustainable energy sources. This change is despite EU and international efforts to increase energy efficiency, and to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources (RES) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Based on the socio-technical transitions literature, this paper assesses the role of the new legislation in this altered scenario, and analyzes the evolution of energy production in Spain in the EU context. The results are triangulated with two expert assessments. We find that Spanish energy policy is responding to the energy lobby's demands for protection for both their investment and their dominant position. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of investors combined with a lack of trust in both local and foreign investors in the sustainable energy sector, affecting also social innovations in energy transitions. We conclude that Spain is a particular case of concomitance between the energy sector and political power which raises concern about the viability of a higher level of energy sovereignty and the achievement of international commitments regarding climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development

2018

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“…Machtverhältnisse im Energiesektor sind jedoch ganz wesentlich durch Scales geprägt. So zeigen erste Untersuchungen, dass es deutlich mehr lokale Initiativen für Energiedemokratie gibt als auf anderen, darüber hinausgehenden Ebenen (Becker und Kunze, 2014 …”

Section: Rescaling In Der Energiewende Und Ungleiche Entwicklungunclassified

Rescaling Energy? Räumliche Neuordnungen in der deutschen Energiewende

Becker¹,

Naumann²

2017

Geogr. Helv.

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Kurzfassung. The German energy transition is not only characterized by wide technological changes but also by spatial restructuring. The decentralization of energy supply potentially increases the importance of the regional or local scale. The Anglo-American debate on the Politics of Scale addresses the production and transformation of scale while energy issues have not yet been systematically addressed. This paper combines the theoretical paradigms of scale, rescaling and scalar strategies with empirical examples from the German energy transition. Using the cases of energy regions, remunicipalizations and social movements, the implications of the German energy transition are analyzed regarding the role of scale. The paper argues that the perspective of the Politics of Scale can contribute not only to a better understanding of the different dimensions of energy transitions but also to critical energy geographies in general.

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“…A growing interest is in the spatial dimension of renewable energies and its relationship with social power and justice (Rignall 2016;Yenneti et al 2016). Furthermore, scholars are looking to grasp the political motivation of grassroots initiatives promoting alternative schemes for renewable energy production (Becker and Kunze 2014;Powell 2015;Seyfang and Haxeltine 2012). This article aims to contribute to such discussions by presenting empirical evidence from a local conflict that reflects two interrelated processes: the emergence of social resistance against corporate wind energy projects, and the development of alternative pathways to promote sustainable transitions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contesting energy transitions: wind power and conflicts in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

Avila

2017

Journal of Political Ecology

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This article studies the expansion of large-scale wind energy projects on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Mexico) and local socio-environmental conflicts that have emerged in response. It explores how the neoliberal agenda in Mexico is shaping a specific way of implementing wind energy projects, and how this is leading to local resistance and the production of alternatives. The article is based on a historical analysis reconstructing the main features of wind power development, and pathways of struggle. By following a political ecology perspective, wind energy is seen as embedded in a wider frame of power relations and the uneven patterns of the Mexican economy. The struggles of indigenous groups are thus analyzed as the expression of peripheral communities against the enclosure of communal lands, the private appropriation of benefits, and the lack of democratic procedures involved in these projects. The discussion emphasizes the role of communal identities and institutions in building successful networks, while introducing new concepts (energy sovereignty) and alternative schemes in wind power production (cooperatives). The overall approach of the article is that any move towards a different energy system should be politically encouraged by social and cultural means, rather than be largely economically motivated. Keywords: wind energy, neoliberalism, socio-environmental conflicts, energy sovereignty, cooperatives, Tehuantepec RésuméCet article interroge l'expansion des projets d'énergie éolienne à grande échelle sur l'isthme de Tehuantepec (Mexique) et les conflits socio-environnementaux locaux qui ont émergé en réponse. Il explore comment l'agenda néolibéral au Mexique met en forme une manière spécifique de mettre en oeuvre des projets d'énergie éolienne, et comment cela conduit à la résistance locale et à la production d'alternatives. L'article est basé sur une analyse historique qui reconstruit les principales caractéristiques du développement de l'énergie éolienne et sa résistance. En suivant une perspective d'écologie politique, l'énergie éolienne est considérée comme intégrée dans un cadre plus large de relations de pouvoir et les modèles inégaux de l'économie mexicaine. Les luttes des groupes indigènes sont donc analysées comme l'expression des communautés périphériques contre l'enclos des terres communales, l'appropriation privée des bénéfices et l'absence de procédures démocratiques impliquées dans ces projets. La discussion met l'accent sur le rôle des identités et des institutions communautaires dans la mise en place et l'exploitation réussies de leurs réseaux, tout en introduisant de nouveaux concepts (souveraineté énergétique) et des programmes alternatifs dans la production d'énergie éolienne (coopératives). L'approche globale de l'article est que tout mouvement vers un système énergétique différent devrait être politiquement encouragé par des moyens sociaux et culturels, plutôt que d'être extrêmement motivé économiquement (comme actuellement). Mots-clés: énergie éolienne, néolibéralisme, conf...

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Transcending community energy: collective and politically motivated projects in renewable energy (CPE) across Europe

Cited by 75 publications

References 25 publications

The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development

The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development

Rescaling Energy? Räumliche Neuordnungen in der deutschen Energiewende

Contesting energy transitions: wind power and conflicts in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

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