ENLUCES: a Germinator of Energy Communities for Extremadura.

By project ShareRES

Published on 11 March 2024

Spain

Extremadura

About this good practice

EnLuces is a co-creative initiative launched by EnVerde, an Extremadura cooperative of renewable energy consumers, and financed through H2020 RIPEET project in response to a call for solutions on how to address a just and sustainable regional energy transition. The general aim is to facilitate the encounter and interaction of various stakeholders including citizens, administrations, social collectives, and the business sector, with the aim of promoting sustainable energy communities (SEC) in Extremadura in a collaboratively way. The goal is to achieve a change in the energy model of Extremadura associated with the transformation of lifestyles, seeking a positive social, economic, and environmental impact in the region, focusing on two pillars:
1. The creation of a network of promoters of SEC in each municipal association, who serve as disseminators and references in their local environment.
2. The development of a website that allows interaction and communication between society, the private sector, public administrations, research and academia, and environmental associations. This platform is a collaborative space that shares relevant information on the regional energy transition, and it includes resources, documents, and online training courses focused on empowering citizens, sharing knowledge and examples of best practices regarding energy communities and energy efficiency; and a unified and public repository of resources to promote regional and municipal policies.

Resources needed

The total cost for the implementation of this initiative for a one-year pilot project was 50.000€, including:
- The hiring of staff for the implementation of the project.
- The outsourcing of the development of the platform, design of the dissemination materials and capacity building contents.

Evidence of success

EnLuces has launched 3 training courses, increasing capacity of 173 people that will be SEC promoters in the near future, involving 36 municipalities.
A network of promoters has been created and the platform is available, accessible, with key documents about how to create a SEC, SEC mapping, seminars, etc.
As a result of the services provided, 2 SECs are in an advanced stage of their establishment, solidifying their legal figure. Another 2 are in an early stage, still under definition.

Potential for learning or transfer

EnLuces project is an initiative that could be easily transferred to other regions proving that, with a limited budget, it could have a great impact in the territory in the promotion and creation of SECs thanks to the following elements:
- Co-creational process. EnLuces is a solution resulting from an Energy Transition Lab (implemented by RIPEET project) which is a key tool to involve citizens and other key actors in the energy transition process.
- Network of promoters of SEC with representatives in each municipal association. In the case of extensive regions as Extremadura, it is very important to involve municipalities in the promotion and creation of SECs, as they will play a key role in the process.
- Capacity building for SECs promoters. This promoter role is quite new, there is not a specific training/expertise for that, and increasing their capacity is key to urge the process.
Besides, the initiative could be scalable and adapted to the needs of each territory.