Giving energy efficiency the green light
The CEB is part-financing key energy efficiency projects in Spain’s Castilla y León region. The projects, being implemented by SOMACYL, the region’s public utility company, are promoting a more sustainable approach to heating and lighting.
The CEB is partially
funding various investments in energy efficiency and wastewater infrastructure
being carried out over a five-year period (2014-2019) by SOMACYL, the regional
public utility company in the region. The Bank is loaning the company €50 million, half of the value, with the European Investment Bank (EIB)
co-financing the other half.
“SOMACYL is carrying out an important programme of actions in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energies, seeking to modernize thermal infrastructures and public lighting, in the autonomous community, based on criteria for the renewal of equipment, improvement of lighting quality, efficiency and energy saving," Jesus Bragado, General Manager of Administration and Finance, SOMACYL.
Moving to biomass heating
With funds from the
CEB and EIB, SOMACYL is aiming to replace coal- and oil-based heating with
highly efficient forest firewood biomass boilers. This is a local, sustainable
resource, producing no greenhouse gas emissions, and helping to support a
circular economy. It boosts employment in rural areas, reduces dependence on
fossil fuels and lowers the risk of fires.
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- Castilla y
León is the only autonomous community in Spain with a specific Bioenergy Plan.
- It aims to
boost biomass energy consumption from 2% to 8%, replacing fossil fuels and
reducing CO2 emissions.
- Only 13
states and 10 regions (out of a total of 271) in Europe have a similar plan.
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Lighting upgrades
SOMACYL is also implementing energy efficient lighting systems on the region’s streets and in public buildings. This work involves replacing high energy consumption bulbs (such as mercury vapour or sodium vapour types) with low consumption luminaires (such as LED), and adding modern remote control systems and lighting controls. This work will reduce lighting costs in the long term and is likely to benefit more than 28,000 people in Castilla y León, particularly in small villages where outdated (and potentially unsafe) lighting systems.
Shared benefits
Working with SOMACYL is helping the CEB to better respond to the needs of beneficiaries in regions, as well as local authorities, that we would otherwise be unable to reach. Our financial contribution is supporting vital investments in key infrastructure sectors, improving Castilla y León’s environmental protection standards and enhancing its social infrastructure.
“This is an example of how the CEB can financially support Spanish autonomous communities and municipalities in their effort to mitigate climate change and to foster the environmental transition to low-carbon economies,” Maria Sigüenza, CEB Country Manager for Spain