Municipalism and energy transition: role, competences and initiatives of Catalan municipalities in the electricity sector

Abstract

This article examines the role of Catalan municipalities in the energy transition, with particular attention to their position as actors within the electricity sector. The analysis begins with the evolution of the climate governance model stemming from the Paris Agreement and its impact on energy decentralisation. It then reviews constitutional doctrine and legislation on energy and climate, highlighting the expansive trend of the basic state legislation and the Autonomous Communities growing potential to adopt their own regulations. Next, it assesses municipal initiatives across the electricity cycle, including generation, self-consumption, storage, charging services, supply or aggregation. The central thesis is that, despite competence-related limitations, municipalism may become a key driver for the energy transition, particularly due to its potential for citizen participation. The article suggests understanding local autonomy not only as an institutional guarantee, but also as a principle that entails an optimisation mandate that extends even to the energy sector. This allows for the defence of the legitimacy of municipal action in the governance of the electricity system, oriented towards a smart decentralisation aligned with the European legal framework.