Extremadura Leads the Way in European Renewable Energy Legislation
Proposals to mine near populated areas often face opposition. The conflict stems from the fact that minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—abundant in Extremadura—are strategic for advancing energy policies and are rapidly increasing in value. However, a growing concept, known as “degrowth,” seeks to rethink the trajectory of what are often called “clean energies.”
Degrowth revolves around transitioning to an economy that produces and consumes less, aligning with sustainable development goals. Extremadura aims to influence the upcoming legal framework that urgently needs to regulate rapidly advancing technologies.
From the Iberian Energy Storage Research Centre (CIIAE) in Cáceres, a sustainable vision will be brought to future EU laws thanks to €1.5 million in Horizon Europe funding. This funding supports the “DELaw” project, led by Romain Mauger, a 36-year-old French lawyer who joined the CIIAE in June 2023. Mauger’s mission is to develop a legal framework influenced by degrowth principles, addressing both European and national regulations and extending to local governance.
Pioneering Energy Law Research
Romain Mauger, working from temporary facilities at CIIAE, describes degrowth as the theoretical framework underpinning his project. “Degrowth is about ensuring Earth’s long-term livability by staying within planetary boundaries,” he explains, highlighting issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
The project will involve a team of six, including five predoctoral students (four legal experts and one engineer) and a postdoctoral specialist in degrowth. Their work will address legal challenges across the energy value chain—from mineral extraction and working conditions to transport and end-of-life battery recycling.
“Why do we need enormous car batteries for vehicles carrying a single person to work?” Mauger asks, reflecting on the need to rethink battery size and second-life applications, such as repurposing car batteries for building energy storage.
A Breakthrough for Extremadura
This project marks a significant milestone for Extremadura, securing €1.5 million from the European Research Council (ERC). Competing against over 3,500 proposals, only 14% received funding, underscoring the project’s exceptional nature.
The research will explore the legal framework for energy storage, focusing on battery regulation, and contribute to shaping new European energy laws aimed at reducing consumption. This represents the first ERC project awarded to Extremadura, made possible by a collaborative effort between the CIIAE’s Hydrogen Department and the European Projects Office of the Extremadura Science and Technology System (OPE-SECTI).
Supported by Fundecyt-PCTEX and the University of Extremadura, this initiative reflects Extremadura’s growing prominence in cutting-edge research and its ability to address global challenges in renewable energy regulation.
