On-Grid Energy Communities in Latin America’s Energy Transition: A Multi-Level Perspective

The role of energy communities (ECs) in the energy transition is well documented in the Global North but less explored in the Global South. This paper examines the implementation of on-grid ECs in Latin America, considering conceptual diversity along with regulatory, socio-political, business, and technical aspects. An inductive approach using secondary data was employed to identify ECs characteristics and implementation patterns. The study reviewed 104 references, documented 33 on-grid ECs, and utilized the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) to analyze developments at niche, regime, and landscape levels. Results indicate that Latin America’s dependence on fossil fuels for economic activity, fiscal revenues, and within a low-diversified energy mix is gradually shaping socio-technical regimes. In this context, on-grid ECs emerge as niche-level innovations with three primary patterns: (1) fostering just and democratic energy systems through social engagement; (2) promoting equitable business benefit distribution via cooperatives and third parties; and (3) enabling grid connection and diversification of non-conventional energy sources, customized to community needs, resources, and geographies. This research helps fill knowledge gaps regarding ECs in under-studied regions, providing insights into sustainable energy transitions through the MLP framework.