Implementing European Union Provisions and Enabling Frameworks for Renewable Energy Communities in Nine Countries: Progress, Delays, and Gaps

With the Clean Energy for all Europeans legislative package, European Union (EU) aimed to put consumers “at heart” of EU energy policy. The recast Renewable Directive (RED II) acknowledged importance communities transition and introduced new provisions renewable (RECs), empowering them participate in market. This article analyses progress transposing implementing key RED II that apply RECs nine countries focuses on timeliness completeness transposition. It comprises both a qualitative quantitative assessment covering (1) definition, rights, market activities RECs; (2) elements enabling frameworks; (3) consideration REC specificities support schemes energy. analysis shows considerable variation transposition performance between analysed countries. authors investigate reasons this relate findings implementation compliance research. Key factors identified include actor-related capacity-related factors, institutional fit, characteristics itself. Future research field needs multi-faceted avenues should pay particular attention influence national governments incumbents, not only process, but already upstream policy formulation at level.