Energy sharing groups
Self consumption
Produce, consume, and share your energy locally.
Thanks to the growth of renewable electricity generation, it is now possible to consume the energy you produce and—under certain conditions—share it with other consumers.
Whether you own a photovoltaic system, belong to a co-ownership association, or represent a business or local authority, sharing electricity allows you to derive greater value from your local generation while actively participating in the energy transition.
What is self-consumption?
Self-consumption involves directly using the electricity generated by your own system—for example, via photovoltaic panels installed on your roof.
When your generation meets your needs, you reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the public grid, thereby optimizing your energy bill. Locally generated energy is consumed close to the source, contributing to a more efficient use of energy resources.
Collective self-consumption
Collective self-consumption allows multiple consumers to share renewable electricity generated by one or more installations located in the same building or in the immediate vicinity.
The generated electricity is distributed among participants according to pre-defined rules, enabling everyone to benefit from local, renewable energy. Sharing electricity allows multiple users to benefit from local generation within an organized group. Each participant retains their own energy supplier and grid connection. The sharing process is handled transparently using metering data and a distribution key agreed upon by the group members.
Benefits
- Maximizing the value of your photovoltaic generation.
- Reduction in electricity costs.
- Consumption of local, renewable energy.
- Active participation in the energy transition.
- Strengthening local energy self-sufficiency.
To do this, a sharing agreement must be signed. This agreement defines the rules and parameters for distributing the generated electricity among the members of the sharing group. The group may modify these rules later—for instance, to optimize its own consumption or if individual consumers or producers leave or join the group. This agreement must be submitted to the grid operator for the relevant geographic area.
To do this, a sharing agreement must be signed. The sharing agreement defines the rules and parameters governing how the generated electricity is distributed among the members of the sharing group. The sharing group may subsequently modify these rules—for instance, to optimize its own consumption or if individual consumers or producers leave or join the group. This agreement must be submitted to the grid operator for the relevant geographical area.
ACR – Within a building, a group consisting of at least two network users shares the energy produced.
A group of at least two grid users—at least one of whom is a renewable energy self-consumer—occupying the same building or residential complex located behind a single grid connection point (e.g., a residential property with a shared meter and multiple individual meters).
- Exempt from grid charges, the compensation fund, and electricity taxes.
- The customer is not a legal entity.
- May sell surplus energy to AC1/CEL/APS/CER.
AC1 – Up to three grid users living within a maximum distance of 100 meters constitute an AC1.
- Surplus may be resold to CEL/APS/CER.
- Connection to the low-voltage grid only.
- Exempt from grid charges, compensation fund contributions, and electricity taxes. The customer is not a legal entity.
Energy communities
If you wish to share your electricity with others outside your home, you must become a member of an energy community. To do so, you must sign an agreement with your grid operator.
CEL – Local sharing group with a maximum distance of 300m between members.
Today, you can share locally generated solar electricity with others, thanks to nearby photovoltaic panels. Together, you form an energy community made up of producers (who have invested in solar panels) and consumers.
- The client is a legal entity.
- Members or shareholders are individuals, SMEs, or local authorities (including municipalities).
- Connection to the low-voltage grid only.
- Exempt from grid fees, the compensation fund, and electricity taxes.
APS – A user who consumes services at multiple different locations within the same network
An APS is defined as a user with multiple injection and withdrawal points within a low-voltage network operated by a single distribution system operator.
- The customer is not a legal entity
- Connection to the low-voltage network only
- Exempt from compensation fund contributions and electricity taxes
- Payment of network charges
CER – National renewable energy community
A Citizen Energy Community (CEC) is defined as a legal entity whose members or shareholders are natural persons, SMEs, or local authorities—including municipalities—and who are grid users with all injection and withdrawal points located within the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Today, you can share local solar electricity with others, thanks to nearby photovoltaic panels. Together, you form an energy community made up of producers (who have invested in solar panels) and consumers.
- CER must be registered with the ILR. Introduction – Communautés énergétiques – Formulaire de notification
- The customer is a legal entity
- Exempt from compensation fund contributions and electricity taxes
- Payment of network charges
How is the surplus energy distributed?
The electricity produced by your photovoltaic system is used according to a priority order that always favors local consumption.
- Individual or collective self-consumption
The energy produced is first consumed by the building’s occupants or by the participants in the production system. Depending on the configuration, this can be:
- Individual self-consumption, when the electricity is consumed directly by the producer;
- Collective self-consumption, when several consumers share the energy produced by the same system, for example, within a residence or housing complex.
This first step maximizes the local use of the renewable energy produced.
- Sharing within the Local Energy Community (CEL)
When production exceeds the self-consumption needs of participants, the surplus electricity can be shared with members of the Local Energy Community. This ensures that the energy remains consumed as close as possible to its production site.
- Sharing within the National Energy Community (CE-N)
If a surplus of energy remains after supplying the members of the Local Energy Community, it can be redistributed to members of the National Energy Community.
Grid Injection
Finally, if all the energy produced cannot be consumed or shared, the remaining surplus is injected into the electricity grid.
We share energy
The We Share Energy software allows you to view your consumption or production figures and compare them with those of your neighbors or friends, enabling you to optimize how electricity is shared.
Planning an energy-sharing project? Are you looking to install photovoltaic panels, set up a collective self-consumption scheme, or participate in an electricity-sharing project?
Sudstroum is here to assist you throughout the process and guide you toward the solution best suited to your project.
Contact us to learn more about energy-sharing and self-consumption opportunities in Luxembourg.
If necessary please contact
the Photovoltaic Service on one of the following numbers: