Cooperativism as a tool for energy self -management – Ateneu

The energy and climatic crisis has highlighted the urgent need to transform the model of energy production and consumption. Dependence on large electricity companies, the volatility of prices and the environmental impact of fossil energies make more and more communities seek fairer and more sustainable alternatives. In this context, the Cooperativism emerges as a fundamental tool for promoting energy self -managementensuring that energy is managed in a democratic, local and service manner.

Energy cooperativism is based on the idea that energy is a common good and not a commodity in the hands of an oligopoly. Through consumption, production and service cooperatives, users can generate, manage and share renewable energy, ensuring that the benefits of this activity directly reversed in the community.

Why is cooperativism key in energy transition?

The conventional energy model is dominated by a small group of large companies that control the generation and distribution of energy. This system has several structural problems:

⚠ Dependence and lack of control: Decisions on rates, investments in infrastructure and energy sources are taken away from the citizenry, without a real participation of consumers.

⚠ High prices and speculation: The current energy market is marked by the volatility of prices and speculation, causing many families and companies to be in situations of energy vulnerability.

⚠ Environmental impact: Fossil -based energy production is still dominant, with high climate and environmental cost.

In the face of this model, cooperativism offers an alternative based on the collective and democratic management of energy. Some of its main advantages are:

✅ Collective property and democratic participation: Energy cooperatives are the property of the users, who jointly decide their operation.

✅ Fairer prices and stability: The energy generated by a cooperative is not subject to the same speculation of the conventional energy market, which allows to establish fairer and predictable prices.

✅ Environmental Commitment and Renewable Energy: Most energy cooperatives are committed to clean and sustainable energy production, reducing the carbon footprint.

✅ Social benefits and local development: The revenue generated are reinvested in the same community, improving infrastructure and fostering social initiatives.

Types of energy cooperatives

Energy cooperativism can take different ways according to the scope and objectives of the project.

Generation and consumption cooperatives: These cooperatives produce renewable energy and distribute it among its members. An example is We are energythe leading cooperative in Catalonia, which has thousands of members who consume 100% renewable electricity.

Energy Services Cooperatives: These entities offer services related to energy efficiency, the optimization of consumption and the installation of renewable infrastructure for individuals and companies.

Cooperative energy communities: These are local initiatives where various actors (neighbors, companies, city councils) come together to share the same energy production infrastructure, such as Community solar panels or small wind facilities.

Energy cooperativism in the Baix Llobregat

The Baix Llobregat is a territory with a long cooperative tradition and a strong network of social and solidarity economy initiatives (ESS), which makes it an ideal environment for promoting community and cooperative energy models.

Some experiences that are already operating in the region are:

• Local group Baix Llobregat of Som Energia: It is part of the co -operative’s territorial network and works to foster the implantation of collective self -consumption projects and energy communities.
• Shared self -consumption projects In municipalities such as El Prat de Llobregat or Sant Boi, where neighbors have created collective solar facilities to reduce costs and gain autonomy.
• Municipal impulse in the energy communities: Some councils in the Baix Llobregat have begun promoting this model, collaborating with cooperatives to install Photovoltaic plants in public buildings And share energy with citizenship.

Challenges and Opportunities for Cooperative Energy Self -Management

Despite the potential of energy cooperativism, there are still several challenges that must be overcome to consolidate this model:

⚠ Legal and administrative barriers: Energy regulation in Spain does not yet completely facilitate the creation of cooperative energy communities, and there are often bureaucratic obstacles.

⚠ Access to funding: Although renewable investment is long -term profitable, high initial investment can be an obstacle to many communities.

⚠ Lack of knowledge and technical support: Many people still do not know the possibilities of the cooperative model in the energy field.

On the other hand, there are several opportunities that can promote this model in the coming years:

✅ Increased aid and public subsidies: The European Union and the Catalan Government have approved specific support lines for energy and cooperative communities.

✅ Growing social awareness: More and more people are looking for alternatives to large electricity companies and want to consume renewable energy.

✅ Accessible and expanding technology: The reduction of costs of solar installations and other renewable sources facilitates their implantation.

Towards a fairer and more democratic energy model

Cooperativism is not only a viable alternative to the current energy model, but it is an essential tool to guarantee a fair, participatory and sustainable energy transition. Energy self -management through cooperatives allows citizens to regain control over energy, preventing this from being a speculative good in the hands of large corporations.

The Baix Llobregat has the potential to become a benchmark in this transition, taking advantage of its experience in cooperativism and social and solidarity economy to promote an energy model that responds to the needs of the territory and its people.

Now is the time to move forward in this direction. The question is not whether energy co -operatives is possible, but when and how to make it come true on a large scale.