Renewable energy production and potential in EU rural areas
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Resilient rural areas
- Climate
- Energy
- Nature and environment
A new publication by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides insights into how rural areas and communities can contribute to and benefit from the EU’s green energy transition, without undermining natural areas, biodiversity and food production.
The study assesses the technical potential of renewable energy sources in the EU’s rural areas, focusing on solar, wind and hydropower. It further identifies which sustainable development trajectories for the future deployment of renewables are the most suitable in specific territories.
The publication addresses the concept of ‘energy communities’ as an emerging framework that allows the generated benefits to be retained locally, while also promoting democratic participation and citizen engagement.