This research analyzes the challenges and opportunities that Mexico faces for the development of energy communities in the framework of the global energy transition, this being a disruptive process that requires moving the conventional and centralized model based on fossil fuels towards decentralized, democratized and low-carbon emission systems. A qualitative analysis was carried out using the case study method through intentional theoretical sampling under three inclusion criteria: presence of collective or shared ownership schemes, existence of local or cooperative governance structures, and heterogeneity in the level of maturity.  The comparative analysis was carried out based on four analytical dimensions: governance model, socio-technical innovation activities, financing mechanisms and technical-regulatory barriers. Among the findings are the absence of autonomy derived from the government, the legal vacuum in the electricity industry regarding the figure of the energy community and the lack of specific financing mechanisms. It is concluded that, for Mexico to achieve a fair and effective energy transition, it is necessary to move towards collective governance and technological sovereignty schemes that allow citizens to act as active managers of their own energy resources. Therefore, a series of recommendations are presented for the creation of regulatory frameworks that recognize the figure of energy communities, the design of specific financing mechanisms that reduce the perception of risk and the strengthening of local technical capacities to ensure the operational and technological autonomy of the community.

Keywords

Energy Communities, Governance Model, Energy Transition.