The Rise of Citizen-Led Power
Energy communities are experiencing a boom in Tenerife. Driven by the potential for significant reductions in electricity bills and a growing environmental consciousness, these initiatives are gaining momentum. The map of such associations published by Tenerife’s Office for Energy Transition (OTE) lists ten already created and four in the process of being set up. Furthermore, the island’s council (Cabildo) indicates that the OTE is progressing another 20 projects in various stages of development.
What Exactly Is an Energy Community?
There is no single formula for an energy community, nor one definitive description. Broadly, they are groupings of individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and sometimes local public administrations that produce and consume renewable energy. The goal is to achieve economic, social, and environmental benefits, which is why they are typically legally constituted as non-profit associations or cooperatives.
The most widespread model in Tenerife is collective self-consumption using photovoltaic installations on rooftops, whether industrial, municipal, or residential. The energy generated is fed into the electricity grid and, through the digital meter system, is automatically distributed among the members. The corresponding discount then appears on each member’s bill.
Island-Wide Benefits and Initiatives
“I believe everyone wins here: the environment, because emissions are reduced, and people, because their electricity bill goes down and they contribute to improving the planet by betting on renewables,” explains Pedro Millán, the island director of Natural Environment for Tenerife Council. “Our only job is to facilitate the whole process and provide the tools,” he adds regarding the role of public administrations.
Some examples of energy communities in Tenerife are located in the municipalities of Tacoronte, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Buenavista del Norte, and Santa Cruz, to name a few. “Tenerife has established itself as a benchmark for social and energy innovation, taking another step towards seeking sustainable, clean, and renewable systems on the island,” says Blanca Pérez, councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies. She highlights that the 20 initiatives in the pipeline could give “consistency” to a broader sustainable development project.
Spotlight on El Rosario Solar
A special mention goes to the El Rosario Solar Energy Community. This is a non-profit association launched in 2020 and officially registered in 2022, which currently has more than 200 members, including residents, small businesses, and the El Rosario town council. Its plan envisages up to five megawatts of photovoltaic power and three megawatt-hours of battery storage, distributed across three sites within the municipality.
The most advanced phase is located in the La Campana Industrial Estate, which is already producing energy and supplying businesses and residents within a two-kilometre radius. The councillor for Ecological Transition for El Rosario Council, Fidel Vázquez, specifies that between 75% and 80% of the members are private individuals and that, depending on the contracted power, the average investment for a household can be around €3,000. He adds that the estimated payback period is around one and a half to two years, “thanks to energy savings and public grants.” After that, the energy generated during the installation’s lifespan—about 25 years—represents a direct benefit for the member.
Defining the Community Model
The growth of the term ‘energy community’ has also opened a debate about its use. Some, like Vázquez, differentiate between non-profit associations and other commercial formulas for shared self-consumption. “A community or local energy system must be non-profit and prioritise energy savings,” emphasises the councillor. Another characteristic is that control remains in the hands of the members. Typically, each member has one vote in the assembly, regardless of their financial contribution.
The Adeje Verde Model in the South
Another example of these initiatives is located in the south of the island. The model promoted under the brand Adeje Verde emerged as an innovation project between Adeje Council and the University of La Laguna (ULL). In this case, the energy community took the form of an association, while technical and administrative management is channelled through a ‘spin-off’ company, an independent entity created from the academic institution.
Ricardo Guerrero, professor of Applied Physics at the ULL and director of the University Master’s in Renewable Energies, is responsible for the strategic direction of Adeje Verde. Guerrero explains that there are currently installations operating on municipal buildings, housing communities, and hotel establishments. One example is the photovoltaic plant installed at the Municipal School of Music, which distributes energy to more than a hundred residents and municipal facilities. The model combines public and private roofs, although the project advocates prioritising the latter to avoid administrative conflicts.
Overcoming Barriers to Entry
However, one of the biggest stumbling blocks arises when information is lacking or the procedures are complex. In such cases, citizens do not join either the ‘purest’ variant of an energy community or any other. This is precisely what the Cabildo has been trying to resolve with the Office for Energy Transition. Its ultimate aim is “to promote and drive the energy transition on the island, supporting residents, businesses, and public administrations.”
The main services it provides are personalised advice on renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency, among others. According to data provided by the Cabildo, the OTE focuses its work on four fundamental pillars: technical and administrative support, help with project financing, defining the ordered steps to increase the number of energy communities, and providing open and free training to citizens. These are fundamental aspects for continuing the pursuit of sustainable development goals.
A Sustainable Vision for the Island
A geographer and mountaineer, Pedro Millán is a convinced defender of these initiatives. “Here we are talking about making use of rooftops and developed land, not about building large photovoltaic installations developed by big companies or investment funds,” he states. “What interests the Cabildo are these types of installations,” adds the island director. Millán emphasises that they generate environmental and social benefits and do not produce the landscape impact associated with other types of photovoltaic or wind energy installations.
“Our fundamental commitment is to make use of what is already built to make it profitable from an energy standpoint and to improve the reduction of atmospheric emissions, which is essential if we want to meet our commitments in the fight against climate change,” he concludes.
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