This research examines the role of Swedish municipalities and municipally-owned energy utilities (MEUs) in promoting energy democracy through local renewable energy initiatives. Energy democracy emphasizes citizen participation and local control over energy governance. However, in Sweden's context, characterized by strong municipal influence and high institutional trust, local governments play a significant role in energy-related decision-making.
The study explores four case studies of renewable energy projects, including urban development initiatives and solar energy communities. Findings indicate that municipalities and MEUs primarily act as representatives of citizen interests, bridging the gap between technical complexities and community needs. While urban development projects follow a top-down approach with limited direct citizen input, municipally-led energy communities lower financial and technical barriers but often result in passive citizen participation.
The research highlights the need for a balanced approach that combines representative governance with direct citizen engagement to strengthen public involvement in the energy transition. It suggests that future studies should explore how different participatory approaches influence energy democracy and community resilience, especially within public sector-dominated governance frameworks.
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Palm, J., Kojonsaari, A.-R., & Magnusson, D. (2025). Toward energy democracy: Municipal energy actions in local renewable energy projects. Energy Research & Social Science, 120, 103921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2025.103921
