Local energy autonomy and sustainable rural development. Analysis of the predisposition to participate in renewable energy communities

Abstract

Renewable Energy Communities (CER) has been postulated in academic literature as a potential source of opportunities for sustainable rural development. The new strategic lines of the Spanish government suggest that they could begin to be encouraged in a more forceful way, making it necessary to analyze the conditions of the predisposition to participate/invest in this type of initiative. Based on the information collected through a survey in a small town in Galicia, we analyzed, using quantitative techniques (principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis), the sociodemographic and sociopsychological characteristics that determine the willingness to participate/invest in a rural CER project. The results reveal that gender, income level and a social capital factor related to trust and cooperation are significant. These results allow us to formulate conclusions and recommendations for researchers, promoters and legislators.