The role of Legacoop
and cooperatives in sustainability
Influential actors in regional and national policies
Sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the green economy: these are the cornerstone principles of the cooperative model. Legacoop plays a central role in this field: we are committed to stimulating innovation and research, and we support the role of cooperatives as leaders in the environmental and energy context. This commitment makes Legacoop – and cooperatives – influential players in regional and national climate and energy policies.
Through the Respira platform we are committed to promoting Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in cooperative form. Launched by Legacoop Nazionale in collaboration with Coopfond, Banca Etica, and Ecomill, Respira offers support to citizens, businesses, and public entities for the creation of RECs, contributing to the energy transition and sustainability. With a cooperative approach, Respira allows participants to take an active role in energy production and management, fostering economic and environmental benefits for the local area. Together, we aim for a more sustainable, fair, and participatory future.
What are
energy communities
Producing, sharing, and consuming clean energy
Legacoop supports energy communities (also known as “Renewable Energy Communities” or REC): local public entities, companies, commercial businesses, and private citizens who choose to unite – often under the legal form of a cooperative – to produce and consume energy derived from renewable sources. All of this through self-consumption and collaboration.
In energy communities – unlike traditional energy companies – profit takes a back seat; the goal is to produce clean energy at affordable prices, within a fairer and more sustainable society.
The strategic role of energy communities
Decentralizing production and utilizing renewable sources
Energy communities hold strategic importance for several reasons:
They are a collaborative energy model based on a local energy exchange system. They are, therefore, an opportunity to decentralize energy production, a decisive step toward stabilizing costs. And for Legacoop, this means protecting the cooperative system, making it less vulnerable to fluctuations in energy costs.
They are based on the production – and consumption – of energy from renewable sources, fitting perfectly within the “green economy”. For Legacoop, supporting energy cooperatives means making a concrete contribution to the transition toward solar, wind, and biomass energy.
Energy communities represent new business opportunities. For Legacoop, this means strengthening and supporting local expertise in the renewable energy sector, which is growing rapidly on a global scale.
Energy communities also play a vital social role: they foster social relationships, strengthen the sense of belonging, and the engagement of cooperative members. Individuals feel more involved and empowered when they actively participate in managing their community’s energy resources.
FAQ Energy Communities
How is an energy community formed?
An energy community is established through the aggregation of a certain number of “prosumers” who are willing to share energy production plants.
What is meant by "prosumer"?
It refers to a user who is not limited to the passive role of a consumer but actively participates in the various stages of the energy production process. A prosumer owns an energy production plant used to meet their own needs, feeding the surplus into the grid to be exchanged with other consumers or stored in dedicated systems. The prosumer is therefore active in the management of energy flows.
When were energy communities born?
The phenomenon began in the last century, but it was only in the early 2000s that energy communities were recognized as an effective means of increasing user participation in the energy transition process. Energy communities are governed by specific regulations and are widespread throughout the world in various forms, yet they all share a common local dimension.
What are the objectives of an energy community?
The primary objective of energy communities is to satisfy the energy needs of their members at affordable prices.
Who can form an energy community?
Energy communities involve various forms of cooperation between public institutions and citizens, as well as private or semi-public multi-utilities, local businesses, and consumers. Anyone can join: individual citizens, as well as public administrations and small or medium-sized enterprises. The energy community model is particularly well-suited for collective entities such as schools, apartment complexes, military barracks, service stations, and companies.
What legal form can energy communities take?
Among the various legal structures that can be adopted by energy communities, the cooperative form is the most widespread and suitable.
Are you interested in setting up or joining
an energy community?
Are you interested in setting up or joining an energy community?