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Uneven democracies of energy : Institutional pathways and justice claims in community energy transitions in Germany and Sweden

Radtke, Jörg ; Busch, Henner LU orcid ; Mundbjerg, Frida Malin Møberg and Thomsen, Marie Bredkjær (2026) In GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 35(2). p.117-127
Abstract

Community energy (CE) is increasingly discussed as a democratic alternative to centralized energy systems, yet its forms and effects vary substantially across national contexts. This article compares CE developments in Germany and Sweden, two countries with ambitious climate agendas but contrasting energy-governance arrangements. The paper examines how institutional frameworks, political cultures, and infrastructure regimes shape opportunities for participation, ownership, and justice. The analysis draws on six illustrative cases, combining document analysis, published case studies, project materials, and fieldwork-based insights, assessed through the lenses of energy democracy and energy justice. The findings show that CE is neither... (More)

Community energy (CE) is increasingly discussed as a democratic alternative to centralized energy systems, yet its forms and effects vary substantially across national contexts. This article compares CE developments in Germany and Sweden, two countries with ambitious climate agendas but contrasting energy-governance arrangements. The paper examines how institutional frameworks, political cultures, and infrastructure regimes shape opportunities for participation, ownership, and justice. The analysis draws on six illustrative cases, combining document analysis, published case studies, project materials, and fieldwork-based insights, assessed through the lenses of energy democracy and energy justice. The findings show that CE is neither inherently democratic nor inclusive. Its transformative potential depends on supportive legal frameworks, intermediary support, accessible business models, and explicit attention to social justice. The article concludes with policy recommendations for more inclusive CE systems across comparable European contexts.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
citizen participation, community energy, energy democracy, energy justice, local energy transition
in
GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society
volume
35
issue
2
pages
11 pages
publisher
Oekom - Gesellschaft fuer Oekologische Kommunikation mbH
external identifiers
  • scopus:105040746034
ISSN
0940-5550
DOI
10.14512/gaia.35.2.24
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
96d6ca28-fd9f-41d6-b6d4-0550c5cf4847
date added to LUP
2026-09-22 15:20:52
date last changed
2026-09-22 15:21:37
@article{96d6ca28-fd9f-41d6-b6d4-0550c5cf4847,
  abstract     = {{<p>Community energy (CE) is increasingly discussed as a democratic alternative to centralized energy systems, yet its forms and effects vary substantially across national contexts. This article compares CE developments in Germany and Sweden, two countries with ambitious climate agendas but contrasting energy-governance arrangements. The paper examines how institutional frameworks, political cultures, and infrastructure regimes shape opportunities for participation, ownership, and justice. The analysis draws on six illustrative cases, combining document analysis, published case studies, project materials, and fieldwork-based insights, assessed through the lenses of energy democracy and energy justice. The findings show that CE is neither inherently democratic nor inclusive. Its transformative potential depends on supportive legal frameworks, intermediary support, accessible business models, and explicit attention to social justice. The article concludes with policy recommendations for more inclusive CE systems across comparable European contexts.</p>}},
  author       = {{Radtke, Jörg and Busch, Henner and Mundbjerg, Frida Malin Møberg and Thomsen, Marie Bredkjær}},
  issn         = {{0940-5550}},
  keywords     = {{citizen participation; community energy; energy democracy; energy justice; local energy transition}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{117--127}},
  publisher    = {{Oekom - Gesellschaft fuer Oekologische Kommunikation mbH}},
  series       = {{GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society}},
  title        = {{Uneven democracies of energy : Institutional pathways and justice claims in community energy transitions in Germany and Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.14512/gaia.35.2.24}},
  doi          = {{10.14512/gaia.35.2.24}},
  volume       = {{35}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}