Spain is preparing for a real boom new renewable for the next few years. The government’s roadmap practically triples the power of green energies by 2030. An expansion that will result in hundreds of new solar power plants and hundreds of wind farms to build about 60,000 megawatts (MW) in a decade.
The diffusion of new clean energies to combat climate change has overwhelming social support. But this widespread sympathy suspicion or outright denial of some neighbors those who find that massive renewable expansion is taking place in the construction of photovoltaic or wind farms in their cities or fields.
this Photovoltaic Union of Spain (UNEF)One of the employers’ associations in the solar industry set itself up to overcome this growing social, environmental or landscape hesitancy that could curb the energy transition – especially when it comes to large projects. To those published this Sunday in El Periódico de España.
In addition to legal requirements, the association has launched a seal of excellence that rewards new solar plants that meet stringent environmental integration requirements and promote a socioeconomic impact in the field of application through local job creation or property contracts. proximity services. UNEF also recommends that energy companies overcome the social resistance they may face by allowing common residents to enter. new solar projects
“You have to ensure that the benefits reach the community directly. plus the definitely economic benefits”, explains José Donoso, UNEF managing director. The recommendation of solar energy employers is that the residents of the municipality and surrounding counties where the companies are installing the solar power plants are open to participation with risk-free financing formulas.
Debt is better than stock
UNEF’s preferred bet is that the neighborsfinance some of the new facilities through loan purchases (with bonds starting at 500 Euros) to make it accessible to the majority) companies must return with guaranteed returns, liquid enough for citizens to sell their shares, and not risk losing their money for citizens.
“Some companies are already doing this, but we want it to be a spreading formula for building social alliances, overcoming the resistance of the population to deploying renewable energy in their environment,” says the managing director of photovoltaic employers. ‘ connection. Through financial platforms that must be authorized by the CNMV to promote participatory financing, solar promoters find an opportunity. alternative way to obtain funds and also to stop rejection movements in local communities.
UNEF prefers such guaranteed loan formulas to mitigate the risks that are more evident in the purchase of shares. “Participating in equity is a more delicate formula with greater risk. Being a partner in the capital can go well or go wrong,” says Donoso, who has committed to expanding neighbors’ involvement in projects with loans to alleviate the denial that has arisen in some areas.
Crowdfunding for solar panels
melt For three years, the fintech platform has put solar power plant developers in touch with small investors who want to participate in projects with an injection of 500 euros by purchasing share packages, and during this time it has mobilized 11,400 private investors who contributed 6.8 million. to a fifteen-day project with returns of 6 to 7%, according to the company itself, in return for returns by way of dividends semi-annually or annually.
Projects supported by Fundeen were developed with the investments of individuals who bought it. shareholders (crowdfunding)but already prepare your first project with ffinancing through debt settlement (mass lending). “Our business vision is to engage the community in the economic return of renewable projects,” they say from Fundeen. “Local investment has the effect of mitigating some of the negative effects that parks can have where they are located and serves to overcome resilience in the local population.”
Until now, all Fundeen projects were open to investors from all over the country throughout the process. However, for several months, some investments, along with facilities under construction, received preferential treatment for resident investors. Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Navarra approve regional legislation regulating participatory financing They have a priority period for those residing in the municipality where the project is located or in neighboring provinces to subscribe to investments.
Within the scope of these formulas, in which the investments of the closest neighbors to the facilities are prioritized for a few weeks, Fundeen has started the financing processes in Murcia, where there is no mandatory regional regulation, as well as in the Balearic Islands and Catalonia. chose to open this proximity investment route voluntarily to gain social support for the construction of new infrastructure.
flobers It was also launched as a participatory financing platform for the renewable sector. It is completing the inauguration of its first renewable project and has another project in its portfolio that will be completed in the coming months with loans from private investors starting at €1,000. Initial attempts will be through debt settlement, but in the future the platform is also open to selling shares. “We want to democratize investments so everyone can contribute to promoting sustainability,” explains Diana Plané, CEO of Flobers. “There will be an explosion of citizen participation in Spain. There are enough people and markets, and this is an opportunity for everyone: entrepreneur and citizen alike”.