This contribution presents findings from a series of quali-quantitative studies conducted in Italy since 2010 on the social construction of "energy transition", "decarbonisation", and the "just transition". Initially guided by Social Representations Theory (SRT), these studies progressively uncovered the systemic injustices embedded within transition processes, with a specific focus on epistemic injustice. The findings reveal how knowledge that challenges hegemonic, technocentric representations is often marginalised or silenced. Alternative, situated, and community-based discourses struggle to gain legitimacy within public and policy arenas dominated by top-down narratives and decision-making structures. The studies highlight how these dynamics hinder the potential for radical and inclusive transformations. Widespread mutual distrust, denial of environmental and social risks, and a pervasive sense of the impossibility of effective solutions contribute to a collective state of lock-in. Furthermore, the inability to translate between different knowledge systems — from institutional to local, from technical to experiential — exacerbates the marginalisation of vulnerable groups and alternative visions for the future. Models advocating for decentralized and transformative approaches are either suppressed or subordinated to dominant discourses that favor technological substitution and continuity. These processes operate at multiple levels: societal, community, and interpersonal. Overall, the results underscore the crucial role of local communities as discursive arenas where dominant narratives can be appropriated, resisted, or reconfigured. By exposing the mechanisms of epistemic injustice within Italy's energy transition, this contribution advocates for more inclusive, pluralistic, and dialogic approaches to shaping sustainable energy futures.