Presentation short abstract

This work examines the distribution of ownership of photovoltaic power plants in Sicily, questioning the centralized model of energy production and the involvement of local communities in the decision-making process, within the framework of the just transition and the political ecology of energy.

Presentation long abstract

Climate changes have brought the ecological transition at the centre of public, institutional and academic debate. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy has been presented by international and national policies as an inevitable path to mitigate the effects of global warming. The topic of energy governance has stimulated a critical reflection on the models in which energy is produced, managed, distributed and consumed. Whilst renewable energy sources are often depicted as a tool for decarbonisation and local development, the concentration of ownership of power plants in the hands of few market players spawns power centralization and capital accumulation, limiting the involvement of communities in the decision-making process and the access to economic benefits.

This work examines the distribution of ownership of photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Sicily, focusing on large installations on the ground (>1MW). Drawing on the analysis of geolocated data (e.g. government agencies, land registries) and field research, this work assembles the geography of PV ownership and assess the degree of capital accumulation that stems from it. This work fits into the theoretical framework of political ecology of energy, aimed at analysing the relationships between power, inequalities and social, economic and environmental injustices that arise with energy issues. By questioning the centralized model of energy production and distribution, the analysis discusses degrowth as essential for building a sustainable system consistent with the environmental justice. Sicily represents an emblematic case study, contributing to the debate on the just transition towards a participatory, democratic and locally rooted energy system.