In order to comply with the 2030 Agenda and implement a fair and participatory energy transition model, it is necessary to adopt an intersectional and gender perspective in Rural Energy Communities (CER).
The following context is proposed:
- It is an opportunity for rural areas to channel rural development strategies.
- Without this perspective, energy justice policies are ineffective.
- The inclusion of women in decision-making has reasons of representative justice and strategic importance.
There is discussion of a “feminization of environmental responsibility,” despite the fact that women are underrepresented in the energy sector.
This paper presents research on four case studies:
| Arroyomolinos, Huelva, (Spain) | Luco Energía, Luco Jiloca Teruel, (Spain) | Prades de la Molsosa, Solsonès, Catalonia, (Spain) | Efiduero Energy, EGTC Duero/Douro (Salamanca, Zamora, (Spain) Trás-os-Montes & Beira Interior Norte, Portugal |
| Promoted by the City Council + civil association To achieve energy sovereignty, build “learning communities” based on individual and collective experience. 60 kW community solar garden project for 20 families, municipal buildings, the city council as another with 25% of the installation + private entities. | To enable the sale of any unused surplus energy, generating economic returns for the community for other projects that help revitalize the town. Promoted by the Prades de la Molsosa Neighbourhood Association. | Integrated mixed cooperative for agriculture and consumption that also functions as an energy community, among other functions. | Also other projects related to training in viticulture; the prevention of gender violence and the promotion of equality. EGTC since 2009; the one to be created in Spain and the fifth at EU level. Energy retailer. |
Three to four in-depth interviews were conducted for each case study, targeting representatives of energy communities, municipalities, and NGOs. A total of 30 additional semi-structured interviews were also conducted.
The following indicators were identified through this information gathering process:
- Job creation
- Sustainable actions beyond renewable energy
- Revitalization of rural areas
- Social cohesion
- Environmental education
- Training and education for participants in energy communities
- Cooperation and collective support actions
- Democratic and participatory processes
- Redefining gender roles
- Attracting new residents
The results show that:
- Some jobs are created some time after the establishment of the REC, and are usually filled by men with technical profiles, as there are still few women with training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Some sustainable actions beyond renewable energy occur in the development phases of RECs.
- There is evidence of rural revitalization common to all RECs (an interesting difference between newcomers and locals).
- Social cohesion actions are promoted in most RECs.
- There are some actions for environmental education, awareness-raising, and promoting diversity inclusion.
- Training and knowledge transfer are offered to participants.
- Mutual support actions are undertaken, although these are still difficult to identify.
- Women’s networks are fundamental. Links with other third sector entities are evident: Catalan Association of Micro-villages, Andalusian School of Social Economy, SOM Energia Cooperative, Copernico Cooperative.
- There is an unusual drive for democratic and inclusive participation, with: the risk of co-optation by dominant actors; the need to facilitate access for actors with lower levels of education; and the need to identify barriers to reaching vulnerable groups.
- CERs harness the leadership potential of women, as they are actively involved in other organizations.
- CERs do not attract new residents; rather, new residents create them.
In addition, three barriers or bottlenecks and loops in rural decline are identified.
- Lack of technical capacity and experience among local authorities, given the innovative nature of RECs >> With the Territorial Transformation Offices in Spain since 2023, this has improved significantly.
- Administrative and bureaucratic constraints.
- Slow administration >> Need to provide local administrations with more financial and human resources.
The conclusions presented in the communication are as follows:
- Despite the limited scope of the survey, the evidence confirms the literature review:
— Most CER members belong to the upper-middle socioeconomic class (Clancy et al. 2017].
— CERs alone do not guarantee gender equality or social and territorial justice.
— The debate on energy justice and the debate on gender and energy are interrelated (Feenstra and Ozerol 2021). - RCEs are “driving forces” for a just, inclusive, and democratic energy transition. However, they are unlikely to reverse the dynamics of depopulation that have prevailed for decades in some rural areas of Spain and Portugal (rural contraction).
- RCEs can sometimes be hubs of social capital.
a) Social capital is key to reducing population aging and revitalizing local dynamics among stakeholders (Serrano and Esparcia, 2023; Castro-Arce and Vanclay, 2020; Kluvankova et al., 2021).
b) Mutual aid and common good actions are sometimes carried out, revitalizing the rural community.
c) These networks must be supported by gender policies from a non-sectoral approach to facilitate their establishment and continuity, as the role of women is fundamental to a just and inclusive energy transition with local roots.
Cite
Pallarès-Blanch, M.; Del Valle Ramos, C.; Ramos Trávez, D.; Prados Velasco, M.J. & Delicado, Ana (2025, 24 y 25 de septiembre). Gender and energy transition: New empowerment strategies throughenergy communities? [comunicación]. European Sociological Association RN12 «Environment and Society» mid-term and Energy and Society Network 7th joint conference.
Link
https://energyandsocietyconference.ktu.edu/
