Joining Actors for LOcal development of New large-scale regional energy communities

Introduction

JALON brings a new approach to facilitate the emergence and growth of citizen-led energy community projects throughout Europe. The methodology is rooted in the close collaboration of local stakeholders to bring these projects into operation as an instrument of social innovation, especially for rural regions where the lack of specific legislation adapted to their reality and specific needs could cause them to be left behind in the energy transition.

Challenges in Energy Communities

In fact, there are so many hurdles that prevent energy communities around Europe from developing their full potential and supposed attributions in rural areas. On the contrary, JALON proposes to run a large-scale regional energy community engaging:

• 5,000 citizens
• 40 local authorities
• 75 businesses

This initiative aims to empower EU inhabitants in rural areas and local stakeholders towards the achievement of a solution to their expectations and needs.

A New Perspective

This challenges the classic approach, moving from the energy community seen as something to be socially accepted and promoted to the energy community as an instrument in solving local social needs requested by people. Thus, JALON will bring together 87 rural villages in Spain in a large energy community that will give rise to legal and regulatory changes, in a learning-by-doing way, to ensure that energy communities will truly be a useful instrument for the local development of depopulated areas.

Investment and Impact

Aiming at mobilising €13M to invest in photovoltaic energy facilities with a total PV generation of 23GWh/year, this initiative will avoid 3,452 tons of CO2e emissions per year. With the support from many different stakeholders, JALON will be the demonstrator that will be followed by six EU regions committed to developing an implementation plan during the project together with JALON partners, so they can start to act quicker.

Dissemination and Communication

In addition, dissemination and communication actions are addressed at reaching 82 NUTS3 regions and promoting the 10 key results of JALON to foster replication across the EU.