4ENERAGENCIES / Energy Agencies

What is an energy agency?

Many local and regional authorities lack long-term energy management structures to guide their transition, making it impossible to reach the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate and energy goals without the active involvement of local and regional energy agencies. These publicly mandated organisations design energy strategies, implement projects, and mobilise investment in clean energy at the local and regional levels.

What is the role of an energy agency?

Beyond technical support, energy agencies serve as knowledge centres and facilitators of innovation, helping authorities plan, finance, and deliver the energy transition in their territories. Recognised by the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), they play a key role in supporting local authorities with long-term energy planning, efficiency measures, and the creation of renovation one-stop shops.

Thanks to their proximity to citizens and businesses, local authorities and energy agencies are uniquely positioned to aggregate local projects, foster community-led initiatives, and strengthen interregional cooperation — making them essential delivery agents of Europe’s clean energy transition.

Establishing Four New Energy Agencies in Spain

In many Spanish regions, there is still a strong need for dedicated support structures to plan and coordinate local energy actions. The project will tackle this need by establishing four local energy agencies — one in mainland Spain and three in the Canary Islands — to strengthen local capacities for sustainable energy planning and implementation.

1. Rivas Vaciamadrid Energy Agency

Located near Madrid, Rivas Vaciamadrid is a fast-growing municipality of around 102,000 inhabitants. The city faces challenges linked to rapid population growth and grid congestion, but has a strong commitment to the European Green Deal principles. The new energy agency will support the municipality in developing renewable energy projects, enhancing energy efficiency, and improving local energy management.

2. Southeast Mancommunity Energy Agency

Formed in 1990, the Mancomunidad del Sureste de Gran Canaria brings together the municipalities of Agüimes, Ingenio, and Santa Lucía, covering 179 km² (11% of the island’s surface) with a population of about 140,000 inhabitants. The region has turned its natural challenges — such as water scarcity and strong winds — into opportunities for sustainable development. The new energy agency will further this transformation by promoting renewables, energy efficiency, and green job creation.

3. North Mancommunity Energy Agency

The Mancomunidad del Norte de Gran Canaria brings together 11 municipalities in the island’s northwest, traditionally less involved in tourism and more reliant on local industries. Over the years, it has expanded its competencies and successfully managed multiple European and national projects. The new energy agency will help the region strengthen its energy resilience, promote renewable energy deployment, and diversify its local economy in line with its 2030 Strategic Plan.

4. Medianías Mancommunity Energy Agency

The Mancomunidad de Medianías de Gran Canaria unites the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Valsequillo, Tejeda, Vega de San Mateo, and Santa Brígida, covering 537.5 km² — about one-third of the island, of which nearly 89% is rural. This diverse area combines a touristic southern coast and rural midlands rich in biodiversity. Since 2017, the Mancommunity has invested in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The new agency will consolidate these efforts, driving sustainable urban growth, energy transition, and climate adaptation.

Impact and Collaboration

The creation of these four energy agencies will:

• Strengthen local capacity for energy planning and investment
• Support renewable energy generation and energy efficiency
• Foster citizen participation and green job creation, especially for youth
• Encourage cooperation between regions through shared experiences and joint actions

The three agencies in Gran Canaria will work closely together — exchanging knowledge, defining common projects, and organising joint events such as workshops and conferences — ensuring that their collective efforts have a lasting impact on the island’s energy resilience and sustainability.

Moreover, the model used to establish these agencies will serve as a blueprint for replication in other European regions, inspiring the creation of new local energy agencies that can drive the clean energy transition across the EU.