Germany’s Renewable Shift Hinges on Community Energy Sharing—But Laws Lag Behind
Energy sharing could play a key role in Germany’s shift to renewable power. The approach lets communities share locally produced electricity while boosting regional involvement and economic benefits. Yet despite its potential, legal hurdles remain a major obstacle to wider adoption.
The Forum EnShare project is working to address these challenges. Backed by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) and the Citizen Energy Alliance (BBEn), the initiative brings together stakeholders to shape better policies. Their goal is to create concrete legal options that make energy sharing more practical.
Digital tools are central to the process. They track electricity flows, balance supply and demand, and encourage flexible energy use. Meanwhile, the ESCdigital project has already shown that energy sharing communities can work under current rules. However, experts note that these trials do not yet cover all legal improvements needed for broader success.
A successful energy transition depends on wide participation. Communities, businesses and policymakers must collaborate to remove barriers. The Forum EnShare platform provides a space for this exchange, aiming to turn diverse input into actionable reforms.
The push for clearer regulations continues as energy sharing gains momentum. Digital solutions help manage local electricity networks, but legal changes are still required. With stakeholder input and proven technical feasibility, the next step is turning policy proposals into reality.
