SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 4 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife, via the Tenerife Community Transformation Office (OTC), is hosting the ‘1st Island Meeting of Energy Communities-Community Energy’ to encourage this model across the island.
This gathering aims to highlight the advantages of this approach in terms of sustainability, financial savings, and energy independence.
At present, Tenerife is home to four active communities, and the Cabildo is striving to expand the energy community model to all 31 municipalities on the island.
The event is scheduled for November 7 at the IACtec building within the Las Mantecas Science and Technology Park, situated in La Laguna, and will be accessible to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
The Minister for the Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, notes that the meeting aims to “highlight and promote the energy community model, encouraging residents and small enterprises to collaborate in developing renewable energies, particularly solar power, enabling them to lower their energy bills and contribute to combating climate change.”
The insular director of Medio Natural, Pedro Millán, emphasises that “the Cabildo aims for Tenerife to join the increasing awareness regarding the significance of harnessing clean and renewable energy.”
He believes that “the island possesses exceptional natural resources, such as solar energy, which we have not fully utilised in the past; we want Tenerife to fully capitalise on these green and sustainable resources, thus aiding the energy transition and environmental protection.”
Additionally, Millán elaborates that the Energy Transition Office plays a vital role in this endeavour.
“This office not only supports but also guides residents and businesses, regardless of their sector, so they can embrace a sustainability mindset. Ultimately, this initiative presents a dual benefit: on one hand, it assists the planet, and on the other, it allows individuals and enterprises to reduce their energy expenses, bolstering both the local economy and the environment,” Millán states.
Currently, Tenerife boasts four active energy communities: El Rosario Solar (El Rosario), Tenergética (insular), Coenta (Tacoronte), and another in La Matanza.
The OTC is also promoting the establishment of new energy communities in various municipalities across the island, including Puerto de la Cruz, Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, Los Realejos, Arafo, Candelaria, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES OF THE MEETING
The event will feature a dynamic programme designed to foster interaction and learning.
It will include discussion panels with experts in energy and sustainability, a ‘World Café’ style break for discussions on technical and organisational aspects of energy communities, and a ‘Clothesline’ activity aimed at gathering proposals from attendees.
There will also be a networking space and a dedicated working group for city councils, addressing crucial topics such as energy poverty and the implementation of the Action Plans for Sustainable Climate and Energy (PACES) within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
In Tenerife, all 31 municipalities are members of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Sustainable Energy.
Of these, 24 have devised and approved their Action Plans for Climate and Sustainable Energy (PACES), with many already in the implementation phase, submitting progress reports to the European Commission.
Among these municipalities are Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, Tegueste, El Rosario, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza, La Victoria, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava, Los Realejos, Icod de Los Vinos, Garachico, Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar, Arico, San Miguel de Abona, Adeje, Guía de Isora, Santiago del Teide, and Vilaflor.
The Cabildo invites all interested parties to participate in this complimentary event and to discover how to establish or join an energy community by contacting the OTC at 922 473 879 or via WhatsApp at 630 100 524, or by visiting the website www.oficinarenovables.es/otc.
