Coopérnico

Coopérnico sells green electricity, finances renewable energy projects with its members' money and helps communities set up their own energy schemes. Based in Lisbon, it's Portugal's first renewable energy cooperative. Its full name is Coopérnico, Cooperativa de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, C.R.L. The cooperative was founded on the principles of social enterprise and democratic participation. Citizens and businesses become co-owners of their own energy company by buying at least three social capital shares. That way, decisions stay with the community rather than with distant shareholders. Its work covers three areas: - selling green electricity to households and businesses throughout mainland Portugal, at fair and transparent prices - investing in and developing renewable energy production projects, financed through collective member investment and offering long-term returns - energy services, including support for setting up Renewable Energy Communities A fixed portion of the profits from each project goes to social and environmental protection actions. Coopérnico promotes energy democracy through its Local Groups (*Grupos Locais*), run by members in communities across Portugal. They organise workshops, information sessions, panel discussions and other events to spread awareness of cooperative energy and the energy transition. In 2025 the cooperative launched the “Coopérnico Comunidades” app, a free bilingual tool for creating and managing Renewable Energy Communities in Portugal. It has already helped 15 community energy projects submit applications under the first regulatory call. In 2018 Coopérnico received three national awards, among them the Prémio Calouste Gulbenkian.