Abstract:
The Fifth The cooperative investment model in renewable energy
presents a transformative opportunity for citizen-led participation in the global
energy transition. This paper investigates the added value of cooperative business
models in the renewable energy sector, focusing on how cooperatives can effectively
structure and operate successful energy institutions. Guided by resource-based theory,
which emphasises leveraging internal resources and community capacities, the study
employs a systematic literature review of empirical case studies and best practices
from various cooperative contexts. The findings suggest that renewable energy
cooperatives provide distinct advantages, including enhanced community
engagement, local economic empowerment, and reduced dependence on centralized
fossil-fuel-based energy systems. However, cooperatives also encounter substantial
challenges, such as limited access to capital, regulatory barriers, and the necessity for
sustained member participation. Key features identified in valuable cooperative
investment models include collective financing mechanisms, local ownership, and
democratic governance, which together promote inclusive, sustainable energy
development. Also, it was found that, cooperatives can venture in renewable energy
by challenging the traditional dominance of large-scale energy corporations,
cooperatives act as alternative business models capable of delivering both
environmental and social value. This paper contributes to the academic discourse on
sustainable energy transitions by offering insights into how cooperative frameworks
can align with renewable energy investment strategies and community development
goals
