The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) has published a guide with Recommendations for setting up a local energy community. This guide explains how to create an energy community in Spain, the necessary legal instruments and the economic and environmental benefits it can have for its members and the community at large.
A local energy community is a group of people who come together to produce, consume and share renewable energy. These communities can be formed by individuals, companies or public and private institutions. The main objective of an energy community is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote the use of clean and renewable energy.
In order to create a local energy community, it is necessary to follow some important steps. First, it is necessary to identify the energy needs of the community and assess the possibilities for renewable energy production. It is also important to define the most appropriate legal form for the community, either a cooperative or an association. Once the legal form has been defined, the by-laws should be drafted to set out the aims of the CEL, the activity to be carried out, the governance bodies and the rights and duties of the members. This process can be carried out by the local administration or by the community members themselves.
Once the CEL has been created, its operation and management must proceed. It is important to establish a strategic plan that defines the activities to be carried out, the necessary budget and the available sources of funding. It is also important to establish effective mechanisms for the control and monitoring of energy consumption.
The economic and environmental benefits that an energy community can have are numerous. First, the production and consumption of renewable energy can significantly reduce the energy costs of community members. In addition, energy communities can generate local employment and promote sustainable economic development. In terms of environmental benefits, energy communities can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. They can also promote environmental conservation and biodiversity.
