This study explores the potential size of energy communities in the Netherlands and identifies the factors that contribute to realising this potential. In this study, we focus on the three types of energy communities: initiatives for generating solar energy on land, onshore wind energy, and initiatives for establishing collective heating networks. We express the scale of energy communities using three indicators: energy production, investments, and labour demand. We analysed these indicators through a scenario study. As a result, we draw conclusions on enhancing the role and social value of energy communities.
Energy communities can play a major role in the energy transition in the Netherlands and add social value. Currently, about 1.5% of total installed solar PV capacity, 5% of wind-on-land capacity and only 0.1% of heat supply in the Netherlands is generated by energy communities. In the most optimistic scenario, this could potentially expand to 20% of solar PV capacity in the Netherlands by 2050, more than 50% of wind-to-land capacity and 25% of heat supply. That means energy communities need to invest €18 billion in solar energy projects, € 10 billion in onshore wind energy and € 9 billion in heating projects. This is possible when tough targets are set for local ownership, supported by incentive policies, availability of financial resources and a strong network for knowledge exchange.