Abstract

The article explores the energy transition in the EU and Africa. It deepens the research hypothesis of whether a commonsbased approach can be an effective strategy to ensure energy justice and energy poverty. This article therefore aims to explore the potential of community-led energy initiatives, such as energy communities. It then focuses on the European Union and ECOWAS, to open a vision of the North and South of the world, analyzing their energy policies and deepening through an empirical analysis three case studies as virtuous examples of not profit renewable energy production at the local level: Middelgrunden Offshore Windmill Cooperative, in Denmark, Melpignano Cooperative, in Italy and Bboxx Energy, in Togo.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Energy Poverty

3. Research Hypotheses and Methodology

4. Energy Transition and Energy Communities in the EU Legal Framework

5. Energy Justice and Energy Democracy

6. Civic Based Renewable Energy Communities at the Local Level

7. Lifting Barriers for Community Energy

8. Energy Transition and Energy Communities in the ECOWAS Legal Framework

9. Case Studies and National Legislation: Community Energy Initiatives in the EU and ECOWAS
   9.1 Northern Europe – Middelgrunden Offshore Windmill Cooperative and Danish legislation
   9.2 Southern Europe – Melpignano Community Cooperative and Italian Legislation
   9.3 ECOWAS – Bboxx Energy

10. Discussion of Results

11. Conclusion