Dossier

A fair participation in the EU's energy transition

This shift from fossil fuels to renewables promises affordability and energy security but poses challenges in equitable implementation. Vulnerable households often face disproportionate burdens, highlighting the need for socially inclusive policies. Innovative measures like energy sharing, dynamic tariffs, and local transition management are emerging to bridge these gaps. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and the Green European Foundation have worked with experts in energy and social policy to identify key areas where the EU could act to ensure that citizens and households are able to fully experience the benefits of the energy transition, in their homes, communities and pockets.

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2025 policy briefs

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Fair allocation of energy network costs

Policy brief
As Europe electrifies heating, transport, and industry, its electricity grids are facing an unprecedented transformation. Meeting the growing and increasingly complex demand will require hundreds of billions in new investments – costs that risk falling heavily on consumers. This brief examines how better network tariff design can balance fairness and efficiency, reward flexibility, and make Europe’s energy transition more just and affordable for everyone.
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Increasing benefit sharing of renewable energy projects

Policy brief
Europe’s clean energy transition is accelerating – but so is public resistance in some regions. While most Europeans support renewables, projects often face local opposition when communities feel excluded or see few direct benefits. This brief explores how renewable energy projects can strengthen trust and public acceptance by sharing value locally, creating jobs, and showing that the transition is not only green, but fair.
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The contribution of renovation and repurposing to affordable energy-efficient homes

Policy brief
Europe’s homes and buildings sit at the intersection of social wellbeing, climate resilience, and energy security. Yet inefficiency and rising costs are undermining their role as safe, affordable spaces. This brief explores how the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan and European Citizens Energy Package can unlock the potential of citizen-driven renovation to build resilient, renewable-powered living environments for all.
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A message to citizens: the energy transition is on your side. Let’s benefit from it!

A message to citizens: the energy transition is on your side. Let’s benefit from it!

Commentary
Europe’s energy transition has achieved a lot. The high share of domestic renewables in our energy mix buffered the fossil gas price crisis. During the last decade, solar power became the cheapest source of electricity, accessible at basically all citizens’ homes. So, if your bill goes through the roof, just put solar panels on the rooftop? Yes, but if things were so easy, the Green European Foundation (GEF) and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union would not have worked with a knowledge community of 30 energy geeks and social policy nerds during the past year on how to let citizens benefit better from the energy transition
Jörg Mühlenhoff

Clickable infographic: Citizens' fair participation in the EU energy transition

For citizens, the energy transition brings many opportunities to cut their bills. They can benefit from cheap renewables, for instance by using solar power from their rooftop. They can reduce their energy consumption, for instance through energy efficient appliances or building renovation. They can also use renewable electricity to move from one place to another. But not every household can afford the new technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicles or heat pumps. The EU offers several rights and regulations that facilitate citizens’ fair participation in the energy transition. Explore our infographic to see which tools make it easier to benefit from the different technologies. This will empower households to escape from rising fossil fuel prices. 

Download in PDF and PNG.

 

Statement by Kęstutis Kupšys, Vice-President of the Lithuanian Consumers Alliance

Kęstutis Kupšys, Vice-President of the Lithuanian Consumers Alliance - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union

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2024 policy briefs

Related content

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Can heat pumps be accessible for all?

Factsheet
Heat pumps can reduce emissions, cut fossil fuel use and lower energy bills – but they remain unaffordable for many Europeans. High upfront costs and complex installations slow adoption, leaving low-income households behind. Could social leasing and on-bill financing make clean heating accessible to all?
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Electricity prices must fall!

President's column
Levies, charges, and taxes make electricity expensive – and hinder the switch to the climate-friendly, electricity-based alternatives that we urgently need. Yet many companies and consumers have long been ready to make the change. The technology is already available, often from German manufacturers, who have been waiting for years for a market breakthrough. Instead, Katherina Reiche's reckless wrong-way drive continues unabated.
Jan Philipp Albrecht
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Fair network charges and flexible demand: cutting the cost of the energy transition

Analysis
As Europe’s energy system shifts from fossil fuels to decentralised renewable energies, one challenge is coming into focus: how can the rising costs of expanding and modernising the electricity grids required for the transport of renewable power be financed fairly and efficiently? And how can tariff design help reduce pressure on the grid by encouraging consumption patterns that make better use of existing infrastructure?    
Sinéad Thielen
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Strengthening citizens’ participation in the EU’s energy transition – a toolbox

Analysis
Europe’s switch to renewable energy supply and efficient energy consumption is gaining momentum, not only as a result of the European Green Deal but also in reaction to the fossil fuel price crisis. EU legislation already creates some opportunities for citizens to access affordable renewable energy more directly, as well as to facilitate energy savings through, for example, building renovation.
Taube Van Melkebeke, Jörg Mühlenhoff
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3 Questions on fair participation in Europe’s energy transition to Claire Roumet

3 Questions
When the EU accelerates its shift to a clean and efficient energy system, how can citizens benefit better from this transition? Local authorities play a key role in facilitating citizens’ access to renewables and energy savings measures. Jörg Mühlenhoff asked three questions to Claire Roumet who is part of the Overall Coordination Team of Energy Cities, the network of several hundred European municipalities gathering frontrunners and energy transition beginners, city officials and technical experts.
Jörg Mühlenhoff, Claire Roumet
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Safeguarding essential household energy consumption: the role of the rising block

Factsheet
Core services, including energy, food, water, housing and healthcare, are essential for a decent standard of living. The economic dynamics of these services in Europe, however, vary greatly, particularly in the extent of commercialisation. Essential healthcare stands out as a service delivered largely outside of the market; by contrast, food and energy are commercialised in most European countries. The commercialised status of energy in Europe can have an impact on living standards, particularly when accompanied by inadequate regulation.
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Smart, fair and flexible: lessons from the smart meter rollouts in Great Britain

Analysis
Smart energy technologies can enable citizens to benefit from cheap renewable energy. They potentially optimise the use of our energy infrastructure, promising lower societal costs. However, one-size-fits-all solutions will not work when it comes to their daily use – with potentially significant risks to vulnerable households already struggling with fuel poverty. An inclusive smart energy transition should target the consumers most in need with more nuanced policies.
Nickhil Sharma

Accelerating the European Energy Transition

Policy Paper
In order to advance the European energy transition and distribute the costs and benefits more fairly, the EU must find better steering instruments. This policy paper provides recommendations for the necessary acceleration of the European energy transition.

More information on GEF's website.

EUSEW2025 | Energy for citizens: understanding what consumers truly need - euenergyweek

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