Empower Solar: Community-Driven Renewable Energy and Simplifi ed Governance

The Eurometropolis of Strasbourg faces the challenge of increasing local renewable energy production while halving energy consumption by 2050, particularly in a dense urban area with high levels of fuel poverty. Our proposal tackles these issues on two fronts:1.Community-based electricity sharing: The project will develop a 5-hectare solar park, engaging nearby residents, particularly those in fuel poverty, to participate in collective self-consumption. This will break psychological barriers to renewable energy by fostering local ownership, making renewable energy both desirable and inevitable.2.Simplifying administrative complexity: To overcome the legal and administrative hurdles of energy sharing, we will establish governance structures and tools from the start, enabling easy replication. With support from the grid operator, this project will serve as a replicable model for other European cities.By integrating local energy production with participatory governance, the project transforms energy into a shared resource, removing both psychological and administrative barriers to urban renewable energy adoption. It empowers residents to actively participate in energy sharing while simplifying the regulatory process, creating a scalable solution for urban areas across Europe. This initiative will boost renewable energy production and create replicable tools for broader application, driving the transition to sustainable, inclusive urban energy systems.