The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, led by Mariano H. Zapata, is working on the elaboration of the autonomous decree that will regulate citizen participation in renewable energy projects.
The objective is that the local population not only lives with these infrastructures, but can also benefit economically and be an active part of their development.
In this process, training actions are being carried out with specialists in its development and application, to transfer to technicians, town councils and promoters how to put this participation into practice, through collective investment models and energy communities. These trainings allow to transfer the regulations to real and functional examples
The Government of the Canary Islands has the collaboration of Fundeen, the leading platform in Spain in co-investment in renewable generation projects, and which, in addition, is a pioneer in facilitating that anyone can invest in renewables from small amounts, thus promoting a fair energy transition with local roots.
“From the Canary Islands we take note of these experiences to adapt them to their island reality and bet not only on implementing more renewables, but also because those renewables are also from the Canaries, generating economic benefits, social roots and greater acceptance of the projects in the territory”, explained Minister Zapata.
He also stressed that “the European Union regulations themselves require Member States to guarantee the participation of local communities in renewable energy projects through their direct and indirect participation”.
In Spain, “Catalonia, Navarra, Galicia and the Basque Country have already implemented it, where investment mechanisms have been developed in phases: first offering the possibility of participating in at least 20% of the project, to the residents of the municipality of the project, then of neighboring municipalities, and later of the rest of the municipalities within the same island. Also to the respective Town Councils and Island Councils”, explained Zapata.
Although in the Canary Islands, “we would be the first to regulate it through mandatory regulations, and that also try to involve the citizen from beginning to end”.
In addition, companies and institutions with accredited experience, such as the IDAE (Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy) or large energy groups, endorse and collaborate with specialized platforms in facilitating citizen investment.