Asturias Energy Agency

The Asturian Energy Foundation (FAEN) was founded in 2001 and is the regional energy agency of the Principado of Asturias, Spain.  

FAEN’s general aim is to promote and develop activities related to research, technical development and training with interest for the energetic industry of Asturias. By studying the energy needs of the region, the foundation works to meet them as efficiently as possible.  

The foundation aims to support the Principado of Asturias in the elaboration of an Energy Plan for the community, promoting energy savings and diversification in the process. 

Activities 

FAEN carries out several activities related to energy, such as studies, energy planning, awareness campaigns, energy audits, training, counselling and advisory services, technological energy research and financial aid on energy projects. 

The foundation’s activities are mostly centred around three areas of intervention: 

• Renewable energies; 

• Energy savings and efficiency; 

• Energy planning and external relations. 

Renewable Energies 

FAEN’s aim is to support the Principado of Asturias in reaching the target of 12% of energy generation by renewable energy sources, as marked by the European Union. 

In order to reach the target, FAEN is fostering the introduction of new RES technologies, supporting and advising enterprises, institutions and private agents. 

Its pillars are the creation of new jobs and the sustainable economic development of the society, taking the maximum advantage of autochthonous resources. 

In the field of renewable energies, FEAN can advise on the best energy solutions to resolve necessities, using autochthonous resources with low costs and significant environmental benefits for the entity and society as a whole. 

For these reasons, FAEN is working on: 

• Wind Energy; 

• Photovoltaic Solar Energy; 

• Thermal Solar Energy; 

• Biomass; 

• Wastes valuation; 

• Combustion Batteries and Hydrogen; 

• Mini-hydraulic Energy; 

• Other alternative sources (geothermal, oceanic, etc.). 

Energy Savings and Efficiency 

The main goal of this area is to reduce energy consumption while sustaining or, if possible, decreasing energy needs. The areas of intervention in the energy efficiency field are: 

• Industrial and; 

• Tertiary and residential. 

The tools to be used are: 

• Energy audits; 

• Energy planning and management. Development of an action plan with a definition of an energy policy, explaining the objectives and general criteria for energy savings and efficiency and delimitation of concrete action fields; 

• Energy Building Qualification; 

• Training and information; 

• Coordination between the university and enterprises or other institutions for the development and implementation of advanced technologies. 

Energy Planning and External Relations 

FAEN works on the study of the energy regional context, demanding predictions for each economic sector as a reference point for possible actions on the energy policy and on the promotion of different activities related to awareness-raising. 

This area of intervention includes the following activities: 

• Elaboration of the Energy Balances of the Principado of Asturias (BEPA), annually; 

• Development of the Energy Planning for the Principado of Asturias 2001-2010 (PLENPA 2001-2010); 

• Counselling and training activities for different levels of expertise; 

• Awareness raising and promotion, through publications, talks, conferences, seminars, congresses, etc; 

• Development of energy programs managed at local, regional, national and European level, focused on or involving the Principado of Asturias; 

• Cooperation and collaboration with other entities to develop activities in the energy sector; 

• Participation in local, regional, national and/or European networks, for exchange of good practices and initiatives, related to the energy world; 

• Research of funds for projects on energy savings and the use of alternative energy sources. 

Structure 

FAEN was founded on 16 July 2001, and it has been active since 1 February 2002 with the nomination of Mr Manuel Penche as the Manager-Director. Mr Penche has a broad experience in the energy field and has worked in other enterprises such as Gas de Asturias, S.A., Grupo Hidrocantábrico and Duro Felguera. 

The representation, administration, and management of the foundation are in charge of the Management Board, composed of the following entities: 

• Autonomous Community of the Principado of Asturias, represented by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Regional Council; 

• Economy Development Institute from the Principado of Asturias (IDEPA); 

• University of Oviedo; 

• Mieres City Hall; 

• Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Asturias (Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés); 

• Other private enterprises related to the energy sector.