The small town of Ispaster, a municipality of 700 inhabitants on the Basque coast, it is looking ahead. Despite its long history, with natural cavities with signs of human occupation dated back to the Mesolithic, the Municipality is not anchored in the past. On the contrary, its efforts are to move forward, in this case from a fossil-based energy infrastructure in favour of an independent and renewable energy system. This way, the Municipality is trying to reduce its emissions, and its ties with large energy companies.
An energy community from the citizens for the citizens
The idea of an energy community in Ispaster came from its citizens, who decided that it was necessary to improve at the same time the public energy system, as well their private consumption.
For this reason, after looking for solutions, they decided to create the Ekogella Renewable Energy Community with the support of the Municipality, officially funded in 2022. Today, with more than 30 members and 4 shared PV installations, the energy community is a success.
After four years, now the project is expanding, and the installation of an energy storage system, and expansion into the heating sector through the installation of solar thermal is under consideration, underscoring the will of Ispaster's citizens to contribute to the climate neutrality of their town. Indeed, since 2014, this municipality has operated a microgrid system. This was developed under the Agenda 21 Action Plan through collaborative planning with local residents. The infrastructure now serves 11 municipal buildings and, more recently, 12 residential households. Energy production combines multiple renewable sources: a 90 kW biomass boiler, 42 kW solar-thermal installation, and 28.3 kWp of photovoltaic panels. To manage supply fluctuations, the system incorporates a thermal storage tank for excess heat and a 49.5 kW battery capable of providing electrical independence for up to three days during periods of limited solar generation.
In this context, the local energy community is complementing the Municipality's activities, diversifying the activities, but keeping the heart of the project - making Ispaster a fossil-free and energy independent town - locally anchored, and citizen-led.
An energy community strengthening the communitarian dimension
The Municipality actively contributed in the creation of the energy community, with assistance in mapping the roof availability and with the administrative work, as well as by providing an Energy Community Technician. After its creation, the Municipality joined the energy community as well.
As for the revenues of the energy community, they have been reinvested in the ulterior development of the community.
But while the energy community had positive environmental and economic benefits, by reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emission, its key success were on the social side. Indeed, creating the energy community was the opportunity for all its members to learn more about key energy concepts, from reading energy bills to understanding how a PV installation works, thus making them more engaged and self-conscious.
This model revealed quite effective, and already four towns in the area replicated it, showing the energy transition potential of small town-sized projects.
Ispaster, Spain
Energy Community in Focus
Ekogella Energy Community
Active since: 2022
Stage of implementation: Active Energy Community
Key Energy Figures
- Total capacity installed: 32,3 kWp over four roofs
- Ratio Consumption/Production: 65%
- - X% reduction in average in bills: 35%
Type of support from the municipality
- Facilitation: setting targets
- Support: access to public roofs/land
- Direct Involvement: joining as a member, co-investing in projects, leading the community.
Covenant Figures
- Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since: 2016
- Emission reduction ambitions:
- - 45 % GHG emissions reductions by 2030
- Covenant of Mayors Award for heatplan and heat coalition
Related links
Contact
Antxon Aranbarri: barrizar@barrizar.com