FAQ

Energy democracy is the active participation of the whole of society – that is, of every citizen – in energy production and the activities surrounding it. It ensures that the energy transition will be done in terms of social justice, without limiting consumers in a passive role. So instead of having monopolies, all citizens have the right to participate in the energy decision-making process and benefit financially, but also contribute to the efforts to tackle the climate crisis. 

Every individual or legal entity, or a mixture of the two, has the right to be a member of an energy community.

Since the energy community is a legal entity, some steps are required to create it, and we specifically counted 7+1 steps. 

These include from choosing the type of the community its members want, all the way to the opening of a bank account. Although it’s not mandatory, it is recommended to join forces with a legal advisor so that the process can move in a fast and efficient way. From then on, you can enjoy the benefits of an Energy Community, the team feeling and the coordinated action that will lead to a more environmentally friendly way of life.

Virtual net metering is the installation of photovoltaic systems to produce energy in a different spot than the one the energy is consumed. For now, local authorities, energy communities and farmers are allowed to do this. Virtual net metering can solve the problem of the lack of installation space in semi-detached/apartment buildings (~68% of buildings). The energy produced cannot be directly consumed due to the distance of the installed unit, but it is measured and offsets the actual consumption of our household or business.

In 2016, with the Law 4414/2016, Greece became the only European country that initially allowed virtual net metering to specific consumers (municipalities, farmers and non-profit institutions) 

(Please read the relevant gazette in detail here). In 2018, with the law on energy communities, the legal framework was completed and our country became the first in Europe to allow all citizens the possibility of virtual net metering. (Please read the aforementioned legislative framework here).  *ΝΕW ADDITION* The latest legislative change occurred in March 2023 with the 5037/2023 law, that changed the minimum number of members in an Energy Community,  along with some definitions on Energy Communities and procedures. (Please read about the last changes on the legislative framework here). 

The existing measure of the Social Household Tariff doesn’t actually help in tackling energy poverty and many households simply remain dependent on social benefits.

Nevertheless, we can help vulnerable households become micro-producers of their own energy with the sun’s help, providing them with photovoltaic units – within a social policy framework – which can be installed either at their home or in a photovoltaic park of an Energy Community (in case the necessary space is not available at home). The energy produced by the panels will offset their consumption, thus these households will no longer need further financial assistance in terms of electricity. In fact, if this is combined with investments for vulnerable households in energy efficiency – instead of consumption subsidies, such as the heating benefit– we can even eliminate energy poverty in our country! See the costed plan we have submitted for a green social housing tariff here.

Saving energy does not mean depriving yourself of basic goods. Οn the contrary, it can contribute to improving our living standards. The more energy efficient our building is, the smaller a photovoltaic system is needed to meet our needs, while at the same time thermal comfort and air quality in our home are highly improved. On the other hand, installing a photovoltaic system or participating in an energy community in a house that… “leaks” all around, would probably mean a waste of resources or even prolonging the break-even point of our investment. So, in the long run, it may be more beneficial to upgrade our house to the standards of a passive building or a low to zero emissions building. Some upgrade examples in order to achieve the standard of a passive building are thick insulation, mechanical ventilation combined with systems of renewable energy sources, correct shading of the openings, energy efficient windows and frames.

Also, there is the option of heat pumps for continuous heating and cooling of the house. When combined with a photovoltaic system or with participating in an energy community for the production of electricity, then it is an excellent way – financially and environmentally sustainable – to cover your energy needs and to substantially lower your heating costs.

In one of our recent studies (which you can read here), we found that if fossil gas subsidies during the period 2011-2022, which exceed €9 billion, were given to energy efficiency projects, they would correspond to €15 billion of investments and would be sufficient to carry out substantial energy efficiency improvements in 750,000 residences! At the same time, 26.250 full-time jobs would have been created in the coming decade. As far as the reduction of CO2 emissions is concerned, these would amount to 25.5 million tons in the decade.

Installing solar panels on the roof for self-consumption, i.e., self-production, has been allowed since 2014. In fact, anyone who wants to, can install photovoltaic panels on his roof, and with the support of an inverter – without batteries – they can directly consume the electricity produced at the same time. If that’s not the case, and the electricity generated is not consumed, it is fed into the grid and redistributed back during the night or on days with lower production. It is not necessary to cover 100% of a household’s needs in this way – sometimes it is difficult due to lack of the available space, since we remain connected to the network and we can continue to buy the rest of the energy we need. In the case of an apartment building, the only thing that changes is that the installation of the photovoltaic panels requires a unanimous decision from all the residents, as applies to any changes to be made in the common areas of the building.

At this particularly critical moment for the citizens of the country but also for the economy, in the midst of the climate and energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, it is important that the State takes the necessary decisions so that the energy transition proceeds at a fast pace and in a just way. In order to do so, however, a change of the existing policies and measures, which until now do not guarantee our energy autonomy and do not protect us from the unbearable effects of the climate crisis, has to take place.

Greece seems to be stubbornly persistent in a vicious cycle of unnecessary and wasteful gas infrastructure projects instead of investing in RES further penetration and energy efficiency policies. The time-consuming procedures needed for the development of an energy community should be improved, but also a financial assistance scheme should be in place, mainly for vulnerable households. Citizens’ equal access to the energy grid is also key to a just energy transition. Residential solar could be subsidized, prioritizing vulnerable groups, and the cost wouldn’t be anywhere near the inefficient fossil fuel subsidies costs. Also, the Energy Ministry must facilitate collective self-production for apartment buildings or neighboring buildings, where losses would be eliminated and its practical application is absolutely doable.

On the energy efficiency issue, the existing “Exikonomo” program has proven to be ineffective in terms of achieving efficiency goals and at the same time there are no significant advantages for households. It is important to have programs with better energy specifications and different speeds: a 100% subsidized support to vulnerable households similar to the operation of “Exikonomo”, as well as a program aimed at the whole of society with tax incentives and various types of subsidies. Finally, several million euros are spent every year in heating subsidies – cooling is sadly forgotten – euros that could be rechanneled towards installing heat pumps or replacing existing boilers with heat pumps. 

In the 2015 Climate Conference, the historic Paris Agreement to limit global warming at +1.5°C was signed, according to the dictates of science. This is the limit for climatic conditions to remain relatively safe for life on Earth. In order to achieve this, we must eliminate emissions, for which fossil fuels are the main culprit, by 2050. It is therefore easy to understand that the shift to energy efficiency and renewable, clean energy sources is essential, since it will contribute to the reduction of emissions.

Every little step counts but, most of all, a national plan to break free from fossil fuels with ambitious targets and provisions for vulnerable social groups is important. In this way, everyone will have access to new technologies, but they will also be protected from the effects of the climate crisis that is already showing its teeth. Marginalized groups, poor communities and biodiversity are in the frontline of being hit by extreme weather events and climate change, without being the real culprits, while at the same time they are most at risk from pollution and accidents caused by fossil fuel plants.

Every “green” investment means less loss of human life and species of fauna and flora, better air quality in our cities, less damage to property, but above all it means that we may manage to stay below the 1.5°C temperature increase threshold. This is why it is very important for the state to support the implementation of small community projects that are initiated by ordinary citizens. The more democratic and participatory the energy transition is, the faster and more fairly we will enjoy its benefits.

Almost since our foundation, we have been dealing with the problems created by fossil fuels and we have been working for a shift towards energy efficiency and clean forms of energy, produced in a democratic and just way, practically showcasing feasible solutions from scratch.

We started in 1996 from Goudouras, Crete, where along with the residents we created the first solar school in the country. Since the 90s, we were the first to present a plan for the development of RES in Greece and at the end of 1996 we presented the first practical guide for installing photovoltaic systems in homes. After 5 years of continuous actions, financial incentives were adopted for the development of solar energy in the domestic sector in 2009.

A few years ago, thanks to donations from citizens, we upgraded the primary school in Stropones, Evia (the building was insulated and modern frames along with a biomass boiler were installed) and then we created the first building in Greece that is heated with self-generated energy: we installed heat pumps and photovoltaic units in the P. Faliro Women’s Shelter. We then went on with the project “Solarize Greece” which, thanks to the support of more than 1,000 people, enabled 8 financially vulnerable families in Rhodes to have free electricity from photovoltaic units! In 2014, after years of pressure, we achieved the new institutional framework that gives each of us the possibility to produce our own, clean energy (self-generation). We kept pushing and in 2018 the institutional framework for energy communities and virtual net metering was established.

In 2017, together with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, we installed the first photovoltaic system with virtual net metering, which covers the energy needs of the Hostel for Women Victims of Violence and their Children. In 2018, we did the same in Larissa, where the photovoltaic unit installed in the 4th Junior High School & High School of the city covers the needs of the Rodopoulio institution. Recently, we became the first environmental organization to cover its energy needs from solar energy, thanks to our co-founding and participation in the Hyperion energy community. Together, we make energy democracy a reality. We form a Common Current. We don’t go with the current! We generate it!