CommonEn: A Greek model for tackling energy poverty

Across central and eastern Europe, rising energy prices continue to place a heavy burden on households. In the Greek city of Ioannina, a community initiative seeks to tackle energy poverty with renewable energy.

Established in 2021, and now with 53 members and 181 beneficiaries, the CommonEn energy community produces solar energy.

Through urban agri-photovoltaics, CommonEn is able to integrate vegetable farming beneath specialised solar panels. This approach maximises land use by combining sustainable food production with energy independence.

Members directly benefit from the energy they produce, resulting in lower energy costs and enhanced energy security. Theodora Dulia, a member of CommonEn, tells Euronews that electricity bills are now much lower. "We have a very significant benefit as members of the community in the cost of energy. We pay about 60% less on electricity bills."

She adds that "members of the community have common goals and we support each other. This project also contributes to the social and economic development of our town, since it creates new jobs."

Two 100 kWp solar parks have been installed under a virtual net metering system, ensuring that the energy generated is self-consumed by members rather than sold to the grid. Getting things off the ground was not easy, and quite a few locals were initially sceptical. After overcoming regulatory and supplier obstacles, members of CommonEn say they began receiving negative energy bills in February 2024.

According to CommonEn's co-founder and President of the Greek Federation for Energy Communities, Dimitris Kitsikopoulos, "it took us about two years for members to see reduced bills. Yet, then there was a lot of interest. Every day, people called us and said, my cousin became a member, I want to join. My aunt joined the group, I want to join too. So we built a second solar park and are moving on to the next one. We are pressuring the government and the energy companies to get what we are entitled to from the energy market."

All of southern and eastern Europe remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, which can be costly, unreliable, and are vulnerable to geopolitical and market instability.

Between 2021 and 2022, SEE and CEE countries recorded the steepest energy price increases in Europe: Bulgaria saw a 19% increase, Slovakia and Hungary each saw a 13% increase each, and the Czech Republisc topped the list with a 38% increase. In 2024, electricity prices more than doubled in Greece.

In 2024, SEE countries faced severe energy price spikes, with increases ranging from 50% to 170%.

Renewable energy communities

Renewable energy communities seek to encourage citizens, small businesses, and local authorities to produce, manage and consume their own renewable energy.

There are currently over 9,000 energy communities in the EU.

At the European level, it is estimated that energy communities could mobilise over €200 billion for the energy transition by 2030.

By 2050, more than 50% of the EU’s energy could be produced by citizen-led renewable energy communities.

On average, for every €1 invested in a community energy project, €2.57 is returned to the territory over 20 years in the EU.

Regional Renewable Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace, Laura De Rosa, says "there are already over 9000 energy communities all over Europe, but there is definitely a stark difference between western and eastern Europe. When we look at Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, then the numbers are very very low. It’s still quite problematic and difficult there for citizens to access these resources."

Energy poverty in South-eastern Europe

Energy poverty refers to the inability of households to access adequate, affordable, and reliable energy services — both for heating and cooling — negatively impacting health, well-being and social inclusion.

Those affected by energy poverty experience significant psychological stress due to unaffordable energy bills.

In the EU, about 11% of the population (over 41 million people) face energy poverty, with disproportionally high rates in eastern European countries. In Greece, energy poverty affects 58% of households.