This document discusses the concept of energy citizenship and the social dimensions of the energy transition. It notes that while energy citizenship is increasingly discussed, not all perspectives on it are equally supported by those in power. Expressions of energy citizenship that challenge incumbents or policy are often vilified. It argues that citizens feel locked out of decision-making and that more deliberative dialogue is needed to empower citizens on their own terms. Not all citizens have the same levels of resources or agency. The role of the citizen in the energy domain remains contested and requires further consideration of how to better serve marginalized groups.

1. www.seai.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
Dr Niall Dunphy
Senior Research Fellow
University College Cork
A contested space –
citizenship in the energy
transition
@NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie

2. www.ucc.ie/cppu
@NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
Imagining2050 (EPA /SEAI 2018-21)
Engaging, Envisioning and Enabling Dialogue on Pathways towards a Low
Carbon, Climate Resilient Ireland.
EnergyPolities (SEAI RD&D 2018-22)
Politico-institutional framing of collective engagements with the energy system.
CrowdPower (SEAI RD&D 2018-23)
Support tools for community renewable energy
Exploring people’s relationship with energy
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Energy system has traditionally been seen through an almost wholly techno-centric lens, and there has arguably
been a reluctance, amongst some at least, to acknowledging its intrinsic social dimension.

3. www.ucc.ie/cppu
@NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
• Energy citizenship has increasing currency in discourse around the energy transition.
• However, not all perspectives on what energy citizenship are equally supported by those with
power.
• The more ‘acceptable’ expressions are really those that do not threaten the status quo e.g., active
consumerism or prosumerism.
• Expressions of energy citizenship which challenge incumbents or government policy are not so
welcomed, and indeed such energy citizens are often vilified and/or ignored by the those who hold
power.
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What’s in a name? – Energy citizenship

4. www.ucc.ie/cppu
@NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
• Passive consumer, the traditional passive receiver of energy.
• Active consumer, encouraged to use their purchasing power to influence the market in certain
directions.
• Good citizen, who just needs to be informed and they will do the ‘right thing’
• Constitutionalist, for whom everything is about understanding and enforcing their legal rights.
• Producer, who either individually or collectively with others is involved in the production of energy.
• Challenger, who engages in public debate, organises and protests to promote alternative
perspectives on energy and the energy system.
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Examples of citizen-consumer roles around energy

5. @NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
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• Citizens feel locked-out of decision-making and locked-in to an energy system that actively limits
individual agency.
• There is a notable classism explicit in many definitions of energy citizenship, with citizens
assumed to have levels of resources and agency that many simply do not have.
• Mechanisms are required to empower citizens – both individually and collectively – to engage
with, and become involved in, the energy system on their own terms (one size does not fit all).
• There should be less ‘consultation’ and more dialogue – there is a need for deliberative local
dialogues around (the generation and use of) energy. Listening is important!
• Citizens need to be acknowledged as legitimate partners (and potentially leaders) in both policy
development around energy and in the energy development themselves.
Some policy takeaways

6. www.ucc.ie/cppu
@NPDunphy
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
www.ucc.ie/cppu
• The role of the citizen in the energy domain remains contested – there is a need for further
consideration of how our visions of energy citizenship (and energy democracy) can better serve
those (energy) citizens so often marginalised by the incumbent powerholders e.g.,
• Dispossessed, indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups from whom energy
resources have been unjustly taken.
• Excluded, those who are prevented from connecting to energy grids due to socio-political
and/or economic reasons.
• Energy vulnerable, those for whom affordability of energy is an issue and who are at risk of
energy poverty.
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Where now?

7. www.seai.ie
Dr Niall Dunphy
Contact
n.dunphy@ucc.ie
For more information on our research see:
www.ucc.ie/cppu