RENOWABE: Unlocking over € 20M for energy renovation in Extremadura’s public buildings

The RENOWABE project is driving energy renovation in Extremadura’s public buildings at an unprecedented pace. Through specialised technical assistance from the Extremadura Energy Agency (AGENEX), the regional government has unlocked € 21.1 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy investments, with an additional € 10.6 million expected during 2026. This marks a major step in strengthening public infrastructure and advancing the region’s energy transition.

The urgency for action was highlighted in the regional energy renovation strategy (E4PAREX) published in 2018: energy use in public buildings could be cut by 32%, with up to 29% covered by renewables. Yet without external support, these investments would have remained unrealised due to limited resources and expertise.

RENOWABE was created to overcome this challenge. Cofinanced by the EU’s ELENA facility under Horizon 2020 and coordinated by the Government of Extremadura, the € 1.4 million project began in April 2022. AGENEX was tasked with providing technical assistance to move projects from planning to implementation.

The first step was identifying 324 priority buildings, including schools, health centres and administrative offices. AGENEX carried out audits, calculated energy baselines and assessed renewable feasibility. These analyses informed investment proposals for government decision-makers. Once validated, AGENEX supported tendering processes, drafting procurement documents and reviewing technical offers, crucial for overcoming administrative bottlenecks in a complex regulatory context.

Results are already visible: 94 buildings have undergone renovations, including LED upgrades, improved energy systems and photovoltaic installations. These actions benefit thousands of citizens, improving comfort and service quality, especially for vulnerable groups. Economic impacts include lower energy bills, freeing resources for other essential services. Environmental benefits are significant: renovated buildings achieve average energy savings of 30%, and those with photovoltaics meet nearly 70% of electricity demand through renewables, cutting emissions and supporting climate goals.

RENOWABE demonstrates how strategic technical assistance can unlock major investments. With € 1.4 million enabling over € 30 million in works, the project proves the value of this approach. As Jorge Rebollo, Director General for Accessibility and Centres, notes: “The collaboration with AGENEX within RENOWABE has been key to overcoming administrative and technical barriers, enabling the tendering of numerous renovation actions that have significantly improved energy savings, system efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing decisively to Extremadura’s energy transition.”

The project concludes in March 2026, but Extremadura plans to continue renovating its public building stock. With established methodologies and tools, the region is ready to scale up and replicate this model widely.

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!