The council of Adeje has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards a sustainable future with the introduction of Adeje Verde, Europe’s inaugural energy community of its nature.
This groundbreaking network has been established atop the municipal music and dance school, setting a benchmark in the production and utilisation of renewable energy. As per Ricardo Guerrero, project coordinator, projections indicate that the photovoltaic installation will yield 149,200 kWh each year, leading to a reduction of CO2 emissions by 116 tonnes.
From a financial perspective, considering the total annual electricity expenditure in the municipality amounts to 120 million euros, Adeje could potentially save up to 50% of this figure due to initiatives like this.
Executed in partnership with E.ON Innovation, this trailblazing system signifies a revolution in how citizens and local organisations generate, distribute, and utilise energy. The initiative is predicated on a community engagement model that enables the utilisation of surplus solar energy by distributing it within the community, rather than feeding it into the general grid. The network operates via local circles, with photovoltaic plants currently delivering electricity to 140 residences, local enterprises, and the municipal police station.
Guerrero stated, “if 20% of European citizens adopted similar systems, we could save 6,400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is akin to removing 25,600,000 internal combustion vehicles from the roads.”
“This initiative transcends being merely an energy solution; “It is a mechanism that binds consumers and generators, ensuring access to solar energy in a straightforward and economical manner,” Guerrero remarked. He further emphasised that efforts like this represent the “future of renewable energy.”
Expansion
Adeje Verde encounters several challenges, such as incorporating additional communities of owners and enhancing the infrastructure to attain a self-consumption rate of 60%, one of the key goals of this endeavour.
The current plan includes extending to other population centres and neighbouring municipalities such as Arona and Puerto de la Cruz.
“The progress is commendable. “We are in the process of managing 50 prospective new installations,” he elaborated. According to European regulations, by 2026, all buildings owned by public administrations are required to possess renewable energy setups featuring photovoltaic panels.
Moreover, by 2030, it is mandated that all new constructions must be equipped with these generation systems. “The coming six years will be pivotal in realising this transformation,” the coordinator emphasised.
The mayor of Adeje, socialist José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, underscored the significance of initiatives like this, stating that “this project represents a crucial opportunity for us.”
