Upcoming guidance on how farmers can support sustainability, energy efficiency, and economic benefits within the context of rural energy communities

RECAH has announced the forthcoming publication of its guidance document, entitled ‘The Integral Role of Farmers in Rural Energy Communities’. This comprehensive resource will be specifically tailored for farmers and citizen organisations involved in establishing or expanding rural energy communities. It will emphasise the crucial role of farmers in these community ecosystems and aims to ensure their recognition by stakeholders responsible for organising and managing these communities.

Through a series of insightful interviews with farmers, farmer associations, and successful rural energy communities, this guidance document will delve into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of integrating farmers into business models and development plans. It will draw on first-hand experiences, success stories of European communities, and existing literature to offer practical guidance and best practices. It will highlight the opportunities collaborating with energy communities can bring to farmers, and aligns with the objectives outlined in the Common Agricultural Policy.

Lead author Henry Groenen commented: ‘We invite farmers and citizen organisations to access this invaluable resource, as it sheds light on farmers’ integral role in driving the success and growth of rural energy communities. By recognising and working in parallel with the agriculture sector, we can create synergies between sustainable energy production and farming practices, paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous future. By understanding and implementing the recommendations in this guidance document, farmers can make significant strides towards achieving sustainability, energy efficiency, and economic benefits within the context of rural energy communities.’

To stay informed regarding the release of this guidance document on the role of farmers in rural energy communities, ensure you subscribe to our mailing list and keep an eye on the @Energy4Europe Twitter feed. Visit the resources page on the RECAH website to access all published guidance documents on setting up and maintaining rural energy communities, and the Best Practices collection.