Citizens' Energy Package: citizens' engagement, energy communities and prosumerism

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Ongoing (updated on 06/05/2025) - Bureau decision date: 25/03/2025
Reference
TEN/854-EESC
Opinion Type
Exploratory opinion Commission
Rapporteur
Corina MURAFA BENGA
Civil Society Organisations - GR III
Romania
Plenary session number
599
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Practical information

  • Composition of the Study Group
  • Administrator: Francesco NAPOLITANO, Assistant: Daniel MAKAY
  • Foreseen for the TEN section meeting:  4 September 2025
  • Foreseen for the EESC plenary session:  17-18 September 2025

Background: 

For many years, the EESC has emphasised the critical importance of placing citizens at the heart of the energy transition. Through its annual Energy Poverty Conferences, the EESC has not only advocated for the protection of vulnerable citizens and the guarantee of access to affordable energy, but also called for their active involvement so that they become an integral part of the evolution of the energy system, through initiatives such as prosumerism and energy communities. These approaches bring to civil society ownership of policies, improved efficiency, behavioural changes, consumption of locally produced clean energy, and the opportunity to manage one’s own energy while maintaining control over prices.

In his mission letter, Commissioner Jorgensen was instructed to develop a Citizens’ Energy Package aimed at increasing citizens’ participation in the energy transition and enhancing the social dimension of the Energy Union. He was also tasked with proposing measures to tackle energy poverty.

Involving consumers is key to combating energy poverty while advancing the energy transition. This requires providing guidance for consumers and to ensure their seamless integration into our common energy market.

Against this backdrop, the European Commission has requested the EESC to draft an Exploratory Opinion to identify potential obstacles to prosumerism or to the creation of energy communities, and to outline the conditions necessary for an effective support framework for citizens' engagement.

Representing diverse interest groups and various dimensions of organised civil society, the Committee stands ready to deliver this Opinion by leveraging its expertise in citizen engagement and tackling energy poverty and by focusing on the needs and aspirations of citizens.