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The LIFE JALON project, Europe’s largest regional renewable energy communities project, continues to gain momentum, bringing together over 70 participants at the University of Zaragoza for a discussion on its progress and the challenges facing the energy sector.

The event highlighted key topics for the development and expansion of renewable energy communities, with a particular focus on the impact they have on rural desertification. In many regions of Europe, energy communities can play a crucial role in combating depopulation by promoting local job creation and boosting regional economies.

During the meeting, Piet Holtrop, a lawyer specialized in the sector, presented the main regulatory challenges faced by these communities, with particular attention to the legal difficulties associated with collective self-consumption in Spain. According to Holtrop, there are still legal barriers that hinder the effective implementation of large-scale self-consumption models, especially in rural areas.

Another highlight was the presentation of strategies for replicating the LIFE JALON model in other regions through the Replication Challenge initiative. This project aims not only to consolidate the network of renewable energy communities in Aragon but also to expand the model to other parts of Europe, promoting a more sustainable energy transition.

José María Yusta, organizer of the event, said:

“Energy communities are already a reality. In recent years, we have witnessed the development of many projects where citizens, companies, and public administrations are driving initiatives for energy self-production, mainly electricity, to share it locally and reduce electricity bill costs. Likewise, CERCA ENERGIA, the energy community created within the JALON Project framework, is building individual and collective self-consumption photovoltaic solar installations, which are helping to consolidate this shared energy model in the Calatayud region.

However, there are still many challenges and difficulties in the process of consolidating energy community projects, as highlighted in the round table at the event held at the Paraninfo of the University of Zaragoza on October 25, 2024.
For example, in the regulatory field, Spain still lacks comprehensive legislation on energy communities, so the legal framework for collective self-consumption is used to create shared energy projects. However, the ability to share the electricity generated using the power grid of the distribution company is limited, in most cases, to a distance of 500 meters. Only for installations on rooftops or industrial ground is this distance extended to 2,000 meters, which may be insufficient in rural areas.

On the other hand, although photovoltaic solar technology is well known, it is necessary to size and execute the installations properly to ensure the profitability of the projects. Ensuring economic viability is one of the most important aspects for the future of energy communities, and it requires professional management of investments, maintenance, and the buying and selling of energy.

But if there is one significant challenge, it is the social aspect of community projects. Uniting the will of neighbors, town councils, and small businesses requires a great deal of effort and social engineering skills to bring together interests and clearly show potential participants the benefits of energy communities, which undoubtedly contribute to improving the economic competitiveness and quality of life in villages.

All of this was discussed and debated at the event organized by the JALON Project in Zaragoza on October 25, 2024, with representatives from electric companies, banks, town councils, various regional government officials, chambers of commerce, universities, technology centers, social economy managers, technical professionals, and other interested individuals in attendance”.

The event was a unique opportunity for participants to share experiences and discuss innovative solutions to the challenges facing the energy sector. The exchange of knowledge between government representatives, experts, and professionals in the field is seen as an important step in accelerating the energy transition and ensuring a more sustainable future.

LIFE JALON continues to be an example of innovation and collaboration in the energy sector, standing out as a reference in promoting sustainable solutions for the future.