Gran Canaria’s Local Government Announces the Creation of Five New Energy Communities

Progress of Existing Communities

Antonio Morales, President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria (the island’s local government), presented the progress of the existing communities in Jinámar, Arinaga, Siete Palmas, and Playa del Inglés during a recent event. He highlighted the role of the Insular Energy Council in advancing shared self-consumption initiatives.

Morales expressed gratitude to community representatives, stating, “They are selflessly collaborating with us to bring forward projects aimed at the common benefit of the citizens and the environment of the island.” He emphasised the importance of public engagement in the energy transition, stating, “The challenge is for the public to believe in the energy transition and to understand why energy communities are important.”

Support for New Energy Communities

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Insular Energy Council, has promoted the creation of energy communities in Jinámar, Arinaga, Siete Palmas, Playa del Inglés, Barranco de Arguineguín, Telde, Gáldar, San Mateo, and La Aldea de San Nicolás. The last two were established through a specific Community Transformation Office for smaller municipalities, funded by Next Generation IDAE funds.

Support provided to these communities includes assistance in securing co-financing, technical and legal advice, attracting potential users, and promoting complementary infrastructure such as storage facilities, charging points, and photovoltaic plants.

Financial Support for Community Development

A grant of 500,000 euros will be announced to cover 100% of the costs related to establishing the energy communities, technical offices, community management, and other associated expenses.

The first initiatives were submitted to the call for the Sustainable Energy Strategy in the Canary Islands, part of the ‘Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan’ funded by the European Next Generation funds managed by the Government of the Canary Islands. This provided financing for the industrial energy communities in Arinaga and Jinámar, as well as the local communities in Siete Palmas and Playa del Inglés.

• The Energy Community of the Arinaga Industrial Zone (SCOOP): Allocated 3,057,698.75 euros for thirteen photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 3.2 MW and the installation of three batteries with a total storage capacity of 12.1 MWh, totaling 6,700,000 euros. Of this, 4,522,934 euros will be funded by IDAE.
• The Industrial Energy Community Association of Jinámar: Received 1.5 million euros to support eight photovoltaic installations with a capacity of 1.63 MW. The installation of a 2 MWh battery is also planned, with an investment of 1,200,000 euros, of which 811,682.64 euros are from IDAE.
• The Siete Palmas Energy Community: Secured one million euros for the installation of photovoltaic systems in eleven buildings, with a total peak capacity of 1.137 MW.
• Playa del Inglés Community: Received 1.5 million euros for plants in nine buildings, with a total peak capacity of 1.6 MWp.

Currently, the technical offices of Arinaga, Jinámar, and Siete Palmas are in the bidding phase.