【セミナー情報】（11月4日）How behavioural factors shape preferences for Renewable Energy Communities in Italian inner areas: Evidence from a stated preference study

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are increasingly promoted as participatory policy instruments supporting the energy transition and the sustainable development of rural and internal areas. Their effectiveness, however, depends on citizens’ willingness to participate, which is shaped not only by the economic characteristics of REC projects, but also by behavioural factors that remain insufficiently understood. This study examines consumers’ preferences for RECs in Italian inner areas by combining a discrete choice experiment with behavioural survey measures. In these territories, RECs may help address persistent challenges of energy vulnerability, limited access to investment and services, and demographic decline by retaining value locally and fostering community-led development. A Mixed Logit model is employed to estimate preferences while accounting for unobserved heterogeneity. Interactions between REC attributes and behavioural variables are then used to assess whether knowledge, trust and expectations regarding local development influence the valuation of alternative project characteristics.

The results indicate that participation choices are primarily driven by expected socioeconomic benefits, participation costs, the payback period, carbon-dioxide reductions and financial incentives. However, behavioural factors significantly shape the valuation of these attributes. Community trust strengthens the value attached to socio-economic benefits, greater knowledge reduces sensitivity to participation costs, and positive expectations regarding improvements in local quality of life increase the value assigned to both economic and environmental outcomes.

These findings provide policy guidance for governments and local planners. They show that successful REC implementation requires not only economically attractive projects, but also transparent governance and effective communication strategies. These strategies can strengthen trust, reduce perceived uncertainty and enhance citizens’ confidence in the collective benefits of RECs.

JEL: C25, O13, Q01, Q48, Q56