New Catalan Public Energy Company to Drive Energy Democratization
The president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, announced on Monday that a government meeting is scheduled for 4 October to advance a plan for a new energy venture. He spoke to reporters during Climate Week NYC in New York, where Teresa Jordà, the minister responsible for Climate Action, Food and the Rural Agenda, accompanied him. A formal government statement outlined the plan and its aims.
The proposed entity will be grounded in renewable energy and will aim to reuse and optimize the full energy generating potential of Generalitat buildings. Aragonès underscored that this initiative is designed to boost energy efficiency across public services, while aligning with broader policy goals for the administration.
Jordà described the project as a public move to place energy at the service of the common good. In her view, Catalonia will establish a publicly traded energy company for the first time, a step that should enhance how the power market works and benefit consumers and the state alike.
The company will be formed as a single member public limited company with the Generalitat taking a direct stake. It will act as its own agent to help develop the Catalan energy market, the government stated, signaling a hands-on approach to market development and policy implementation.
Improvements will primarily target the Generalitat and its organs. The aim is clear: energy consumption should move from being a mere cost to becoming a saving investment in the short and medium term, with the possibility of generating income once investments are amortized.
“The democratization of energy” is at the core of the strategy. The Generalitat plans to use the new entity to promote regional cohesion in energy generation, invest in electricity production capacity, expand electric vehicle charging services, and ensure reliable energy supply for the administration itself.
Public energy will encourage self consumption and distributed generation projects across all public buildings. The policy will facilitate renewable energy purchases and enable bilateral agreements with local producers, strengthening regional energy partnerships and resilience.
The government has described the project as a key tool in Catalonia’s energy transition, with an ambitious objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030. The plan envisions a future where energy collaboration between public institutions and local producers helps create a more sustainable, affordable, and secure energy landscape for residents of Catalonia and nearby regions.
In practical terms, the initiative could see public buildings equipped with rooftop solar arrays and other renewable installations, with excess power fed into regional grids. The company would also explore innovative arrangements to finance and manage energy projects, potentially leveraging public-private partnerships while maintaining strong public accountability and transparency. As the plan unfolds, observers will be watching how this model compares with other regional and national energy strategies in North America and Europe, particularly regarding market reform, grid modernization, and consumer protections.