Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives

The aim of this research was to investigate the social conditions of the implementation of energy cooperatives in Poland as a demand-side policy tool to reduce carbon emissions. Qualitative empirical research was conducted, including interviews with members and leaders of energy cooperatives as well...

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Main Authors: Justyna Orłowska, Małgorzata Suchacka, Łukasz Trembaczowski, Robert Ulewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5709
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author Justyna Orłowska
Małgorzata Suchacka
Łukasz Trembaczowski
Robert Ulewicz
author_facet Justyna Orłowska
Małgorzata Suchacka
Łukasz Trembaczowski
Robert Ulewicz
author_sort Justyna Orłowska
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this research was to investigate the social conditions of the implementation of energy cooperatives in Poland as a demand-side policy tool to reduce carbon emissions. Qualitative empirical research was conducted, including interviews with members and leaders of energy cooperatives as well as experts, to assess the effectiveness of new legal regulations concerning energy cooperatives. This study shows that the negative historic connotations with cooperatives do not impede the readiness of Poles to create energy cooperatives. They are open to innovation and are willing to cooperate for energy stability, which seems to be the most important factor determining involvement in energy cooperatives. The results also highlight significant barriers for the development of energy cooperatives, such as regulatory constraints and a lack of true incentives. Energy cooperatives have the potential to popularize renewable energy sources in Poland, but their growth requires better adaptation of legal regulations and greater political support.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1996-1073
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-cb41edadabc74f75b4d420d46fad38d62024-11-26T18:02:26ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-11-011722570910.3390/en17225709Social Aspects of Establishing Energy CooperativesJustyna Orłowska0Małgorzata Suchacka1Łukasz Trembaczowski2Robert Ulewicz3Polish Green Network, Ul. Raszyńska 32/44, R. 140, 02-026 Warszawa, PolandInstitute of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 11, 40-007 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 11, 40-007 Katowice, PolandFaculty of Management, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Czestochowa, PolandThe aim of this research was to investigate the social conditions of the implementation of energy cooperatives in Poland as a demand-side policy tool to reduce carbon emissions. Qualitative empirical research was conducted, including interviews with members and leaders of energy cooperatives as well as experts, to assess the effectiveness of new legal regulations concerning energy cooperatives. This study shows that the negative historic connotations with cooperatives do not impede the readiness of Poles to create energy cooperatives. They are open to innovation and are willing to cooperate for energy stability, which seems to be the most important factor determining involvement in energy cooperatives. The results also highlight significant barriers for the development of energy cooperatives, such as regulatory constraints and a lack of true incentives. Energy cooperatives have the potential to popularize renewable energy sources in Poland, but their growth requires better adaptation of legal regulations and greater political support.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5709energy cooperativesocial conditionsenergy transitionrenewable energycarbon emission reduction
spellingShingle Justyna Orłowska
Małgorzata Suchacka
Łukasz Trembaczowski
Robert Ulewicz
Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
Energies
energy cooperative
social conditions
energy transition
renewable energy
carbon emission reduction
title Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
title_full Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
title_fullStr Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
title_full_unstemmed Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
title_short Social Aspects of Establishing Energy Cooperatives
title_sort social aspects of establishing energy cooperatives
topic energy cooperative
social conditions
energy transition
renewable energy
carbon emission reduction
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5709
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AT małgorzatasuchacka socialaspectsofestablishingenergycooperatives
AT łukasztrembaczowski socialaspectsofestablishingenergycooperatives
AT robertulewicz socialaspectsofestablishingenergycooperatives