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May 22, 2025

As global climate action intensifies, cities are emerging as key actors in the renewable energy transition. While traditionally seen as consumers of energy, many cities in the Global North are now becoming co-creators of regional clean electricity systems. A recent study led by researchers from the Â鶹¾«Æ· explores how urban governments are contributing to this transformation through cross-boundary renewable electricity projects. By analyzing 27 cities across North America and Europe, the study uncovers a range of mechanisms by which municipalities are shaping energy governance—and raises important questions about justice, inclusion, and the role of local actors.

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Urban Involvement Beyond City Limits

The research focuses on urban renewable electricity initiatives that extend beyond city boundaries. These projects include wind farms, solar installations, and hydropower developments often located in rural areas or neighboring jurisdictions. Unlike household or rooftop solar efforts, these utility-scale projects require significant coordination with external partners and regional planning authorities.

 

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Eight Mechanisms of Urban Renewable Energy Development

The research identifies eight primary mechanisms through which cities are engaging in regional renewable electricity initiatives:

Mechanism	Definition
Power Purchasing Agreement	Cities enter into agreements with other entities to purchase renewable energy produced in the region surrounding the city. For example, these entities could be commercial or cooperative power producers.
City-Led Project Development	Cities develop and own renewable energy projects in the city’s wider region, often in collaboration with municipally-owned utility companies.
Advocacy	Cities advocate to the energy sector and higher levels of government, for measures to increase deployment of and access to renewable energy.
Incumbent-City Collaborative Project Development	Cities collaborate with incumbent actors to develop renewable energy in the region surrounding the city. These incumbent actors can be public or private utility companies (not including municipally-owned utilities), energy companies, and state-owned enterprises that have an established presence in the energy sector.
Niche-City Collaborative Project Development	Cities participate in a collaboration that involves niche actors, such as civic actors including energy cooperatives, citizens, and households, in the development of renewable energy projects in the region surrounding the city.
Market Stimulation	Cities campaign to raise awareness of renewable energy options to encourage city-based consumers to retail packages of renewable energy signaling demand for renewable energy to the energy market.
Project Acquisition	Cities purchase renewable energy projects that are already operating in the region surrounding the city, often with the involvement of municipally-owned utility companies.
Centralised Decision-Making	Cities leave decision-making around regional renewable electricity to an entity that the city lacks control over such as an incumbent private energy company or state-owned enterprise. Within this mechanism, cities do not actively participate in the regional sourcing of renewable electricity.

These mechanisms illustrate the growing diversity of strategies available to urban governments and underline the importance of institutional capacity, political leadership, and access to financing.

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Justice and Civic Participation: The Missing Link

While the study highlights municipal innovation and leadership, it also identifies a major gap in current urban renewable energy efforts: the limited participation of civic actors. Citizens, community organizations, energy cooperatives, and local households are largely absent from most regional projects initiated or supported by cities.

This lack of inclusion raises critical concerns about energy justice and equity. The study argues that without meaningful civic involvement, the benefits of renewable electricity development—such as economic returns, job creation, and energy sovereignty—may not be shared fairly. Moreover, the risk of reproducing existing inequalities, especially when projects are sited in rural or marginalized areas, must be addressed.

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Toward More Equitable Urban Energy Futures

The findings contribute to a growing body of literature that calls for more participatory and democratic models of energy governance. Cities, the researchers argue, must go beyond technical and economic planning to embed justice-oriented principles in their climate strategies. This includes creating space for community co-ownership and ensuring transparent decision-making processes.

At the Â鶹¾«Æ·’s Department of Geography, ongoing research is focused on how energy transitions can be made more inclusive, just, and sustainable. By understanding the institutional, political, and cultural dynamics of urban energy governance, scholars and policymakers can work toward a low-carbon future that benefits all.