Tenerife Launches Community-Led Renewable Energy Project "Arona Energía"

Tenerife is taking a big step towards a greener future with a new energy plan that puts the community first.

A company called Tenergética Sociedad Cooperativa is leading the way, helping locals get involved in creating clean energy. They've launched their first project in Arona, called ‘Arona Energía’. It's a community energy hub where residents, small businesses, and local government work together to produce, use, and manage 100% renewable energy. The goal is to make energy cheaper and fairer for everyone.

In the neighbourhoods of Cabo Blanco, Buzanada, and La Camella, they're building an energy system that focuses on people's needs. Instead of energy being just another product to buy and sell, it becomes something everyone shares. Tenergética, a non-profit cooperative that operates across Tenerife, is inviting anyone – individuals, small businesses, or local government – to join this effort. The idea is simple: instead of making a profit, the project helps people save money on their electricity bills, potentially up to 75%, depending on the energy plan they choose.

The cooperative offers "energy packages" to its members. Each package costs around 600 euros and represents 0.5 kW of the energy installation. Members decide the final price each year at a meeting where everyone gets one vote. The energy from each installation can reach homes and businesses within a two-kilometre radius. Plus, those who join don't need to install solar panels or do any construction on their property. They simply become a member and start benefiting from the collectively generated energy.

Rubén Fuentes, the president of Tenergética, explains, "The challenge is not just to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but to make sure that energy is owned and managed by the people. That's what we're promoting. We have the technology and the legal framework in place; now we just need to believe in it and make it happen. It's up to us."

The first Arona Energía installation will be on the roof of the Wingate School in Cabo Blanco. It will have a capacity of 83 kW, which is equal to 166 energy packages. This plant will supply energy to homes and businesses within a two-kilometre radius, covering a large part of the area. The school has agreed to let the cooperative use its roof for nearly 30 years. The school will get some of the energy generated, and the rest will be shared among the members.

The project started on October 9th and will continue until December 15th, with free talks and workshops to educate the community. These sessions will cover topics like how collective solar energy installations work, how to understand your electricity bill, and how to save energy at home. You can find the schedule at tenergetica.org/agenda.

Federico Ghijs, one of the founding members, emphasizes how involved everyone is in the project: "I joined because I wanted to have a say in everyday decisions. In just two weeks, we were already discussing how to use 2% of the budget to help people struggling to pay their energy bills. It's amazing to see these opportunities for discussion and collective decision-making."

However, it hasn't been easy. Tenergética points out two main challenges: getting neighbourhood groups together to create their own local hubs and dealing with the bureaucracy involved in using public buildings. "Local governments should make their buildings available to the community, but we've faced obstacles and a lack of response. Collaboration between the public and the community is essential for this model to succeed, and that's what we're working towards," the cooperative says.

Despite the difficulties, the Arona project shows that working together can lead to a more sustainable future. By joining Tenergética, people can not only lower their electricity bills – by up to 75% – but also actively participate in the shift to clean energy.

There are two ways to get involved. People or neighbourhood groups in Tenerife who are interested in creating their own local energy hub can email info@tenergetica.org for technical and organizational support. Those who live near the Wingate School in Cabo Blanco, within a two-kilometre radius, can attend the upcoming talks and workshops.

With Arona Energía, Tenergética is starting a movement that aims to change how people relate to energy. It's a plan based on saving money, getting involved, and promoting fairness, proving that when energy is shared, everyone benefits.