The Congress on Cooperative Energy Transition in Germany is an annual event for renewable energy cooperatives, bringing together individuals involved in energy production, as well as experts in the energy sector and political leaders from Germany. It is organized by the National Office of Energy Cooperatives at DGRV. This year, the event included the participation of representatives from around the world, including the DGRV director in Brasil and expert in renewable energy for Latin America, adding a unique perspective to the discussions.
The director highlighted the situation of energy communities and cooperatives in Latin America, emphasizing the region’s vast potential in renewable energy, as well as the challenges it faces. The energy transition in Latin America is not only about shifting from fossil fuels to renewables, but also about improving access to energy, enhancing energy quality, and reducing costs.
During the panel discussion titled “International Year of Cooperatives 2025 – What Can Energy Cooperatives Learn from Each Other?”, moderated by Andreas Wieg from DGRV and representatives from various regions, participants embarked on a fascinating journey exploring renewable energy cooperatives from Germany to Latin America, with stops in Austria, South Korea, and Denmark. ‘It is incredible to see how people around the world have organized into cooperatives to innovate, achieve their aspirations, and solve their problems,’ commented the director. One of the key takeaways and lessons learned from her participation was the importance of community involvement, local ownership in renewable energy projects, as well as supporting legal framework conditions.
In Latin America, there is a significant difficulty in mobilizing people for collective purposes. There isn’t a strong culture of volunteerism, and individuals are often overwhelmed by their workload, making it hard for them to dedicate time to other projects. However, she emphasized the importance of adapting these practices to Latin American contexts to enhance community engagement and ensure the sustainability of projects. She also noted that for projects to be successful in Latin America, there needs to be a financial return to incentivize people’s involvement.
The congress provided a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices, and the director’s insights underscored the potential for cross-regional collaboration. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of established energy cooperatives in Germany, Latin American countries can accelerate their transition to renewable energy and build resilient, community-driven energy systems.
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