Digital technologies (DTs) offer new avenues for organisations to boost business performance, innovation and agility and play a pivotal role in sustainable development by enhancing resource efficiency, reducing adverse environmental effects and supporting the shift to renewable energy. Specifically, renewable energy communities (RECs), as a socio-technical model, underscore the significance of digital technologies in facilitating energy decentralisation and efficiency while fostering community involvement and local economic growth. Extensive research highlights DTs’ capacity to cut emissions and foster low-carbon economies, with specific studies on RECs focusing on digital tools for energy optimisation, renewable integration and community engagement. However, challenges such as costs, technical complexities and data security in RECs require further investigation to devise effective adoption strategies. This study aims to identify the key challenges and mitigated steps for DTs adoption in RECs through a literature review and dependency impact analysis, categorising the main opportunities and hurdles into their socio-cultural, economic and technological dimensions. The findings aim to guide decision-making for RECs, enhance digital resilience and efficiency and contribute to sustainable development goals. This work offers valuable insights for both academics and practitioners in understanding adoption barriers and the effects of DTs on renewable energy systems and the broader energy transition.