CaixaBank, through its social banking arm MicroBank, and Edinor, a subsidiary of Repsol, have advanced their initiative to promote Local Energy Communities (LECs) across Spain. Initially launched in the Basque Country (Euskadi) in 2021, the initiative is now being expanded nationwide, aiming to bring renewable energy to households and small businesses, particularly in medium and small municipalities.
Local Energy Communities represent a collective model where citizens, businesses, and local authorities jointly produce and share renewable energy, primarily through rooftop solar installations. Members of these communities benefit from self-consumption of the generated energy, allowing them to shift from being energy consumers to also becoming producers. The model is intended to support a fairer, more participatory, and sustainable energy transition.
LECs also address energy poverty by lowering electricity costs and reducing carbon emissions through solar energy. Designed to include vulnerable households, the model also promotes local employment and community cohesion.
The first project under this collaboration began in Zumárraga in 2021. Supported by MicroBank and the European Investment Fund (EIF), it installed 350 solar panels across 1,100 square metres. Within a year, the project reached a capacity of 160 kWp, supplying energy to 180 households and small businesses. The initiative led to an estimated annual reduction of 675 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and electricity savings averaging 30% for participants.
Since then, the programme has grown significantly. To date, 20 LECs have been financed across Spain: 13 are currently operational, four are under construction, and three have recently been signed in Segovia, Cambra Ebre (Tortosa), and Seville. In total, over €18.5 million has been mobilised, largely through MicroBank, with additional support from European sustainable investment funds and CaixaBank financing instruments.
Once all the projects are complete, the total installed solar capacity is expected to reach 13,089 kW, providing renewable electricity to over 20,000 homes and businesses. The anticipated environmental impact includes the avoidance of approximately 81,847 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year—equivalent to the carbon absorption of 327,000 trees over 25 years or an area the size of 460 football fields.
