In the last decade, the number of local energy initiatives (LEIs) has increased in western European countries. Although several success factors and barriers in the development of LEIs have been studied by other scholars, there has been limited scholarly interest in the overall impact of LEIs so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore their impact by determining their achievement. Additionally, levels of engagement were used to categorise the success factors for and barriers that impede this impact. Initiatives in two provinces in the north of the Netherlands were studied. For the data collection, 84 in-depth interviews were conducted with the initiators of LEIs. In general, it can be concluded that the impact of LEIs is limited. Success factors and barriers in the development of LEIs play out at different levels of engagement: the level of the initiative itself; the community level; and the public–private level. Theoretically, this study provides empirical insights on how to measure the impact of LEIs. Furthermore, the study brings together a variety of factors that influence this impact based on the levels of engagement. Practically, this research offers indications on how to contribute to the further development of LEIs.

European policy ambitions and recent legislation have created new opportunities for energy communities (ECs) to expand their role in the energy transition. Such developments are often associated with acceleration processes. As ECs become more established, questions arise as to whether further development can be achieved by initiatives alone or whether it requires stronger forms of collective development. However, ECs often emphasize their local embeddedness. This study examines ECs’ perceived willingness and ability to contribute to collective development by exploring their sense of collectiveness, strategic visions, upscaling ambitions and perceived barriers. Based on interviews with 44 board members of 43 ECs and three intermediary representatives in Groningen, the Netherlands, four types of ECs were identified. Participating ECs differed substantially in their ambitions, orientations and involvement in collective development. Differences in ambitions, local embeddedness, organizational capacity, and future visions appear to complicate collective development and the emergence of a shared strategic vision. The findings indicate multiple pathways through which ECs may respond to conditions associated with acceleration. The study contributes to sustainability transition research by proposing collective development as an extension of network formation and highlighting how differences between ECs may shape their capacity and willingness to contribute to broader societal change.