The Government of Catalonia has taken a significant step towards promoting renewable energy and combating energy poverty by announcing an initiative to install photovoltaic panels on all public buildings.
This ambitious measure aims to achieve 100% coverage of these buildings by 2030 and offer free energy to nearby vulnerable households.
Government spokeswoman Patrícia Plaja told a press conference that this measure is also expected to provide “free energy for vulnerable households”.
Particularly for those households within a two-kilometer radius of public buildings equipped with solar panels.
This initiative arises in response to the energy poverty that has peaked in the past year due to the high cost of energy.
Photovoltaic investment for public buildings in Catalonia
To carry out this project, it is estimated that 59 million euros will be invested between 2023 and 2024, with the aim of covering 40% of the roofs of public buildings.
The company Endesa X Servicios SL will be in charge of installing the photovoltaic panels in different locations such as the Mateu Orfila Hospital.
The installation of photovoltaic panels will focus mainly on high schools, primary care centers (CAPs) and police stations, with the aim of meeting 25% of the Catalan administration’s consumption.
Between 2023 and 2024, 77 megawatts of renewable energy is expected to be generated, and this figure is projected to increase to approximately 300 megawatts by 2030.
The operation is in the hands of the public energy company
The Generalitat will transfer 120 photovoltaic installations already in operation on the roofs of public buildings to the public energy company.
These existing facilities will be used only for maintenance costs.
While the resources of the new facilities will be marketed at a price approximately one third lower than last year’s market price, around 60 MW/h.
The Government spokeswoman pointed out that in Catalonia there are some 73,000 installations with photovoltaic consumption and that eight out of ten correspond to the domestic sector or small services.
He also thanked the public for their commitment to the energy transition to renewable sources.
Although the exact number of families that will benefit from this initiative has not yet been determined, it is expected to have a significant impact on the energy bills of vulnerable households.
Currently, the social bonus covers 80% of the electricity bill, but it will be reduced to 40% in 2024.
The Govern’s measure is expected to help cover the remaining 20% of the bill and have a positive impact on the economy of vulnerable families.
With this project, Catalonia is positioning itself as a pioneering region in the transition to a cleaner and greener future.
