Clean Energy Transition in Southeast Europe: The Paradigm of Greece from a Fossil Fuel Mediator to a Community Energy Hub

Despite the intense emergence of local energy projects in the European continent after the 1990s, the concept of energy community in Greece used to be until recently a relatively innovative idea from both civil society and political perspectives. Although Energy Communities bring additional benefits to the promotion of a green energy transition compared with those of private investors, Greek communities face crucial problems. They need sufficient support so that they can participate in the energy market as an equivalent market player without discrimination, according to EU Directives. This chapter includes three case studies representing different typologies as lighthouses, the Greek Community Energy as a socio-technical niche, recommendations for fruitful creation and operation of Energy Communities. Further deep assessment is required of their barriers and development opportunities combined with the formation of proper financing schemes (bank loan guarantees, seed funding, etc.).