The emergence of renewable energy cooperatives in Spain: A review

Cooperative organizations that aim to foster the production and the consumption of renewable energy are flourishing all over the world. Nevertheless, the scholarly research about these organizations that promote renewable energy has been scattered and limited, especially in the case of countries that do not have a tradition of disseminating green energy (e.g. countries from Southern Europe). Taking into account this gap in the literature, this article sheds light on the phenomenon of renewable energy cooperatives in Spain. Based on primary and secondary data sources the main characteristics, motivations and performance of these organizations that promote community initiatives for renewable energy are reviewed. The implications for stakeholders, policy makers and researchers, as well as avenues for further research, are discussed.