Jorge Andrey Sterner, lawyer and partner at the law firm Schlaich Dauss SLP, discussed the legal present and possible future of energy communities as an ideal tool for empowering and involving citizens, highlighting the crucial role of local authorities in this process, as they are closest to the citizens.

Jesús Sánchez-Ostiz, Director General of energy community network cooperative society (Red de Comunidades Energéticas S. Coop.), within the network of communities, gave us some key data. He explains the success story of Esparza, the first energy community in Navarre, and its evolution since 2019. He provides a schematic view of the barriers and the breadth of energy communities and ends by detailing his cooperative business model for energy communities.

Juan Carlos Sacristán Antoni, President of Sapiens Energía, introduces Sapiens Energía as a consumer and user cooperative and associated work company. Its vision is characterised by being in the local area, with a legal entity of 50 square metres, with a long-term vision of collective self-consumption and with a special emphasis on social participation, with legal entities with self-managed decision-making capacity.

Nicolau Josep Claramunt Ruiz, Mayor of Albalat dels Sorells, presented the development of the community initiative in a municipality of 4,100 inhabitants. Based on a proposal from the Rubí Town Council, they started their journey by promoting the reduction of emissions. Their philosophy is to reduce energy consumption, generate economic savings and invest these savings in further improvements.

Álvaro Ferrero Ferrer, Mayor of Portell de Morella, presented the case of a small rural community of 178 inhabitants that combines community development based on solidarity and sustainability with environmental action.

Rafael Larreina, President of the Red de Comunidades Energéticas S. Coop. Navarra, contextualised the network of communities and presented the three common models of most rural energy communities, working to promote participatory processes that empower people to change the energy management model.

Carmentxu Etxarte, President of the Urroztarra Energy Community, explained her experience in the cooperative, its achievements, past and future difficulties, and her enthusiasm to continue growing and being part of the Energy Communities.

Raquel Campillo, President of the social initiative Garesbide Cooperative, spoke about the experience of her community, its challenges and the difficulties faced by her cooperative, without forgetting her enthusiasm for continuing and improving local initiatives to strengthen the social and rural fabric.

Ana Millán Dieste, President of the Arousa en Transición Association, spoke about the experience of the Arousa Island Promoter Group in becoming the first community initiative in Galicia.

José Manuel Álvarez Campana, President of the Sumarte public company of the Arteixo Town Council, presented the Arteixo Civic Energy Cooperative initiative, which is the result of cooperation between Ekiluz of the REPSOL group and the Arteixo Town Council, with the aim of promoting the creation of a local energy community from which the citizens of the municipality can benefit.

José Ulla, Mayor of Begonte, accompanied by Miguel Angel Zamorano of Masinteligencia SL, presented the development of renewable energy in a rural community, highlighting the technical, administrative, and environmental difficulties involved.

José Luis Pascual Criado, Director General of the Duero-Douro European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, traced a path from the past to the creation of the EFIDUERO cooperative, which aims to achieve energy for the people, i.e. energy independence.