Energy Community Initiative in Italy Supports Small Municipalities with Local Energy Market
The vast energy community initiative offers small municipalities the chance to provide ancillary services and play a key role in the energy transition, establishing local energy markets. The Solidale Area Vasta Etrusca Community Energy Resource (CER SAVE) exemplifies this approach.
Supported by the European project Promoter-Interreg Europe and involving municipalities in Livorno, CER SAVE aims to govern energy flows and provide services. Established as a cooperative, it allows municipalities to collaborate and share resources, including 1 MW of planned solar energy.
The initiative also seeks to address energy poverty by creating a rotation fund for needy members. As of November 30, 2025, Italy has 2,597 community energy configurations, with 1,660 operational renewable energy communities. This model is particularly beneficial for small municipalities, where 70% have fewer than 5,000 residents.
