Castilla y León Regional Energy Agency

EREN, Ente Regional de la Energía de Castilla y León, was founded in 1996 (Law 7/1996) by the regional government and in the framework of the Save Programme, as an energy management organism at regional level, aimed to develop the most appropriate regional energy policy, always following the guidelines established by the European Union’s energy policy, on the basis of its main three principles: security of energy supply; competitiveness and, environmental protection.

The European partnership was established with ARELVT-Agencia Regional de Energia de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo (Portugal) and Skane Energy Agency (Sweden).

EREN was established as a tool for the Castilla y León’s economic and social representatives of facing up to these questions related to the SME’s and citizens energy efficiency, at the same moment promoting the renewable energies use and the energy saving endefficiency and, developing the region great energy potential, always taking into the best consideration theenvironmental balance, contributing to the regional sustainable development.

The organisation is composed by a Board of Administration, an Advisory Committee and a Managing Director, which conduct and report the actions developed by EREN as well as its internal functioning, make up by a high specialised and qualified staff divided into five departments: Energy Saving and Efficiency, Renewable Energies, External Relations, Training and Education, Energy Managing in public administrations, Regulation and Projects  and Budget, Administration and Services Department.

Activities

Actions carried out by EREN in the energy field are focused on the promotion of the energy saving and the exploitation of renewable energy sources, promoting the regional companies competitiveness and the citizens quality of life, what contributes direct1y to the global economic development of the region.

This is way EREN implements activities and designs initiatives in the following areas:

Energy Planning

• Developement of the main actions identified by the Regional Energy Plan (PERCYL):
• Development of the Energy Saving, Substitution, Cogeneration and Renewable Energies Programme (PASCER);
• Activities aimed to promote the energy saving and efficiency in all activity sectors;
• Dissemination activities on the importance of increasing the regional environmental conditions through an optimal renewable energies exploitation.

Energy Efficiency

• Elaboration and implementation of a Castilla y León Energy Saving and Efficiency Plan, addressed to companies, SME, public buildings and housing owners;
• Promotion of processes and more efficient technologies for transformation and energy usage in the industrial, residential and services sectors;
• Energy audits: in the different sectors (industries, hospitals, hotels, schools, housings) in order to promote possible solutions implying an optimal energy saving and efficiency
• Elaboration and implementation of an “Energy Audits Programme in Castilla y León”;
• Building Certifications in the different activity sectors;
• Processes of fuel substitution in public transports using alternative ones.

Renewable Energies
Activities aimed to promote the development of the Castilla y Leon high potential of renewable energy sources in all its technical areas: hydropower, biomass, wind energy, solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaics and geothermical energy. EREN will promote projects all around the region, implying local and regional entities, looking for the optimal impact in the local economy, increasing the employment and the quality of life in those localities where the projects are implemented.

Consulting and Advisory Actions

• Administrative and technical reports;
• Participating and assisting in working groups at national or regional level dealing with energy matters;
• Legislation proposals.

Programmes management and co-operation

• Promotion, assistance, management, follow up and participation in European Union, National and Regional energy programmes and initiatives;
• Co-operation with international, national, regional and local institutions in the energy fields to get the best and more efficient results;
• Collaboration in energy networks;
• Establishment of co-operation agreements with universities and other public and private entities to develop joint actions on different energy matters.

Information Dissemination and Training

• Collection of energy data, elaboration and publication of a Bulletin on Energy Statistic in Castilla y León;
• Elaboration of periodical regional energy studies about the consumption evolution in all activities sectors;
• Public Reports and recommendations for a more rational use of energy;
• Seminars, workshops and public courses on different aspects of saving and energy efficiency aimed to both a general public and a most specific sectors;
• Dissemination campaign on a better use of energy at a regional level, using the media;
• Organisation of joint dissemination activities on energy efficiency and renewable energies with other regional energy agencies, in national and international context, especially with the EREN partner in this project, the regional energy agency on Lisboa e Vale do Tejo in Portugal.